Emma Raducanu issues frosty response to Tim Henman's Wimbledon 'expectations'

Emma Raducanu has been backed to reach the Wimbledon second week (Picture: Getty)

Emma Raducanu has issued a frosty response to Tim Henman’s Wimbledon ‘expectations’ after the former British No.1 predicted how far she’ll progress.

Henman, a four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist who is working at this year’s Championships as a tennis pundit, backed Raducanu to make the second week.

Raducanu, though, appears to think that Henman is setting the bar too high and insists she will be ‘over the moon’ with just winning Monday’s first-round match.

The 21-year-old, who tasted Grand Slam glory three years ago and ranked inside the world top 10 in 2022, faces 22nd-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova on Centre Court.

Before that match, Metro.co.uk asked Raducanu in her press conference if she had a response to Henman’s claim that she could reach the second week.

Raducanu provided a short answer to the question and said: ‘If I get through my first round, I’d be over the moon. Tim has higher expectations, I guess.’

Henman, speaking to Metro.co.uk earlier this month, said: ‘I definitely think they (Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter) both could be in the second week. It’s going to be interesting to see.’

Emma Raducanu faces 22nd-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova on Monday (Picture: Getty)

Raducanu is currently ranked down at No.168 – and is building up fitness this year – having returned to tennis at the start of the 2024 after overcoming long-term injury issues and undergoing triple surgery.

She has endured mixed results this year but her decision to skip the French Open has paid off with some solid performances on the grass, with Raducanu recently producing her first-ever victory over a top 10 player for one of her biggest wins.

Raducanu was handed a wildcard to compete at Wimbledon 2024 and has fully got rid of any lingering fatigue issues which saw her miss Roland-Garros.

Emma Raducanu recently beat a top 10 player for the first time (Picture: Getty)

‘I would say that recently I haven’t been injured,’ Raducanu added. ‘I feel very confident in my body.

‘I was able to play three matches at a high level last week and come out physically unscathed. I think I’m in a really good place.

‘Last year I did a good chunk of work at the end of the year to get back and healthy. I’ve continued that work on throughout this year. I feel good in my body. There’s no doubts.’

Quizzed if Wimbledon 2024 was the best preparation she’d ever had for a Grand Slam – following some impressive performances in Nottingham and Eastbourne – Raducanu said: ‘Yeah, I would say this preparation has worked out really well.

‘I got a great balance between matches, but also staying fresh and not playing too much. I think the Eastbourne week, it was really helpful in getting some top-level matches, and also to get a really good win in the second round. Yeah, my best win to date. I think I should take a lot of confidence from that.

‘Also it helps not arriving too early, I would say, to the site because sometimes when you arrive too early, you have time to think. I’ve done it before where I’ve not played before the Grand Slam. I’d make the second round, play my match Thursday, but I’ve been there since Monday before. I feel like in week two, but I’m in round two.’