US Open Winner Emma Radukanu She has reached the biggest stage at Wimbledon this afternoon as she makes her center court debut to win the championship title.
Radukanu is seen arriving here Wimbledon Today as she prepares to make a big comeback after multiple injuries – and manages to win the first set against her opponent.
The British No. 1 greeted the audience as they arrived at the All England Club, before taking shelter under an umbrella during the rain.
The young star was given a warm welcome by British tennis fans at Wimbledon as her mother Renee and other supporters cheered her court-side.
Wearing a Rafael Nadal T-shirt, 19-year-old Radukanu is making his center court debut as a tough opener against Belgium’s Alisson Van Uytvanck.
Radukanu is looking to add to her trophy cabinet after a sensational win at last year’s US Open at Flushing Meadows
The British superstar takes center court in his seventh professional grass court match
Emma Radukanu celebrates winning the first set during her first round match against Belgium’s Alisson Van Uytvanck
Radukanu celebrates after winning the first set against a Belgian opponent in the first round
The victory came in the first set when he broke Belgium’s serve in the final game.
Radukanu is trying to clear doubts after being injured after winning last year’s US Open
Church Road was crowded this week for the first time since the pandemic began after last year’s championship
Raducanu’s supporters watch the British tennis star on the big screen as he sits on Heineman Hill facing the rain earlier in the day.
Spectators watch Emma Radukanu in action from Hill to Center Court on Day One of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships
Radukanu in action on center court on day one at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
Belgium’s Alison van Uytvanck in action against Emma Radukanu today
Emma walks center court before her debut in the century-old arena
Emma Radukanu wows spectators as she arrives at Wimbledon on day one of the championship
The Belgian is known for her excellent form on the grass and has put in a strong showing in the championship, giving her an advantage over Radukanu, who recently had injury concerns.
But the US Open winner would hope to use the home audience to her advantage – and as the match went on, the two young women were clearly pushing each other in a tight opening in the first set.
Now without a permanent coach, Radukanu has been seen training at Wimbledon alongside Jane O’Donoghue – who played a major role in his development between the ages of 13 and 17.
Radukanu was forced to retire from the Nottingham Open earlier this month after he said he had been feeling pain in his left side since serving in his first-round match against Victoria Golubic.
She took painkillers and was laid on court for treatment during a two-headed replacement, later announcing that she would ask for a scan – leaving her participation in Wimbledon in the balance.
Britain, however, assured fans that she would be able to face Van Uytwank after completing a solid training session on Saturday.
And she said she would be ready for Center Court, she told reporters: ‘Everyone there wants me to do well and is behind me and they’re going to cheer.’
Sir Andy Murray will follow him to court today on the show.
Meanwhile, Radukanu’s grandmother, due to fear of Covid, is unable to travel to Wimbledon from her apartment near the center of Bucharest, Romania.
But the retired teacher, who has never personally seen Emma play professionally, says she won’t be tuning in either.
“I won’t be able to go to England but I can’t even watch him on TV, my heart can’t take it,” she told the Daily Mail. ‘It breaks my heart to see him pushing himself so much.
‘I feel for him when I see how much effort he has to put in and I get stressed. I don’t want to send him any negative energy, I just want to have positive thoughts.’
Instead Mrs. Radukanu watches the matches of potential opponents. ‘But I will be there for him in spirit,’ she said.
‘I encourage him all the time. I recently spoke to him over a video call. I told him, ‘God will help you do what you want to do’. I send my best wishes to him.’
British No 1, who was seen sheltering under an umbrella wearing a Rafael Nadal T-shirt, will make his center court debut against Belgian Alisson Van Uytvanck in a tough opener.
The loving grandmother said: ‘If she doesn’t win now, I will also be there to reassure her that things will be better next time.
‘I am proud of what he has achieved but he still needs to gather more strength.’
She is confident that Emma’s Wimbledon will not end like it did a year ago when she retired with difficulty breathing in the fourth round. ‘Now she has a big medical team that checks everything,’ said Mrs Radukanu.
She discussed Emma’s fitness with her son Ian – the star’s father – after the teenager pulled out of the Nottingham Open with a side strain. ‘He said it was nothing serious. He’s ready for Wimbledon,’ she said.
Due to the lockdown and her schedule, Emma has not seen her grandmother for almost three years. ‘But we talk a lot….and she sends me presents,’ said Mrs. Radukanu.