“I am like who am I playing? “: Mimi Xu reacts to Wimbledon clash with Emma Raducanu

Mingge Xu, also known as ‘Mimi Xu’, has opened up about how she came to know she would face fellow countrywoman Emma Raducanu in the first round of Wimbledon 2025. The second Grand Slam of the year will begin on Monday.

In the first round, Xu will face the former US Open champion on the first day of the competition. Xu, who is currently placed 302 in the WTA rankings, received a wildcard entry into the main round of the competition this year. She spoke to BBC Sport, where she revealed how she found out about her opponent in the first round.

“It’s really funny this one actually because I was moving to my Airbnb at like 10:05, I think and then I get a message from my coach saying: “What an amazing draw, so exciting”,” said Xu. “I am like “but I haven’t seen the draw” and My mom’s getting messages saying “such an exciting draw, such a good draw for her to really go out there and play and I am like who am I playing? So I am just like scrolling and trying to find out who I am actually playing and I end up seeing I am playing Emma.”

Xu further went on to reveal when she first met Raducanu. The 17-year-old also admitted that Raducanu, whom she described as a ‘really nice’ person, has been an inspiration to many girls. “First time I met her like three years ago,” she said. “I hit with her on the grass. She was really nice. Like really lovely person. And then I actually went as a hitter for the Billie Jean King Cup finals last year in November. So I really got to know her there. I think she is a lovely person. What she did at the US Open, it really inspired a lot of young girls. So its really nice to have someone like her.”