"I think she's going to be a threat": Mats Wilander backs Emma Raducanu to deliver magical performance at Wimbledon

Former world number one Mats Wilander believes that Britain’s young tennis star Emma Raducanu can become a threat to anyone in the upcoming Wimbledon 2024. The third Grand Slam is set to begin on Monday, and players from all over the world will showcase their talent to secure the ultimate prize.

Raducanu was once regarded as the next big thing. She lifted the US Open title at 18 in 2021 by beating Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3. The victory was more than just special as the Toronto-born star started the competition through the qualifying round.

Read also

"I’m in a really good spot": Emma Raducanu feels confident ahead of Wimbledon 2024

Since that moment, the Toronto-born star has struggled to maintain her form and fitness. She returned to the court earlier this year after spending nearly 12 months on the sidelines and, since then, has produced some good results on the court. She played a big role in helping Great Britain secure a spot in the final round of the Billie Jean King Cup.

Most recently, Raducanu participated in Eastbourne International, where her journey came to an end in the quarterfinals stage where she suffered a defeat in straight sets to Russia’s Daria Kasatkina with a score of 6-2, 6-2. Despite an imperfect ending to her campaign in Eastbourne International, Raducanu showed glimpses of her incredible talent as she registered her first win over a top-10 player in the world since returning from an injury. She defeated America’s Jessica Pegula in the second round with a score of 4-6, 7-6, 7-5.

Read also

Emma Raducanu's Eastbourne International run ends, easily beaten by Daria Kasatkina

Former world number one Wilander, while talking to Eurosport, heaped praise on Raducanu and believes that she has all the qualities to become a threat to anyone at Wimbled. The 59-year-old also stated that, in his opinion, grass court suits the former world number 10’s style of play.

"I'm not saying she's going win Grand Slam tournaments, but I think she's going to be a threat in many Grand Slam tournaments going forward,” he said. "Technically, I think grass might be the best surface that she will play on for her own tennis. She's a huge threat at Wimbledon to anyone. Though winning at home is very, very difficult, but she is so good on grass and on fast, hard courts, in my eyes."