TEEN sensation Emma Raducanu continues her Wimbledon fairy tale in front of millions of new fans.
But her potential and talent was first spotted at the age of 11, when she started bossing seasoned pros off the court.
The 18-year-old A Level student tackles Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic in the last 16 as Britain’s youngest female to get this far in the Open era.
Anne Keothavong, the captain of Britain’s BJK Cup team, selected Raducanu as an unused sub for a qualifying defeat in Slovakia in 2020.
And it was seven years ago when she was on the receiving end of Raducanu’s ferocious ball striking.
Keothavong, 37, said: “After I retired, I was doing my coaching course with Mel South. We needed some guinea pigs and so Emma and another young girl came along to the National Tennis Centre.
“I had heard she was one of the best players in the country. Suddenly I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this is an 11-year-old, I need to try and play as well as I can — solely to show her who is boss here’.
“Mel and I were having to play doubles.
“We looked at each other and said, ‘We have to go full out here. They’re 11 years old but they’re good’.
“I remember thinking she was really special. Even then she had the game – and was looking to take the ball on the rise.
“In terms of her future, we’re talking top ten. She is the real deal.
“If she is able to stay fit and healthy, which is the biggest challenge, then she’s going places.”
The last wildcard singles winner was Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 and in the Open era there have been two teenage winners, both aged 17 – Boris Becker in 1985 and Maria Sharapova in 2004.
The women’s Slams – aside from the likes of Naomi Osaka and Ash Barty – continue to throw up surprise winners.
Keothavong said: “It’s unpredictable, which should give Emma confidence.
“I don’t think anyone expected the performances we’ve seen from her.
“On her debut, 18-years-old, just showing so much guts and really rising to the occasion. At times, it just took my breath away.
“There has been so much talk and a lot of hype but she’s delivering.”
Coach Matt James, who is part of Raducanu’s back-up team, will be in the No 1 Court stands on Monday.
He said: “You could tell straight away she is pretty special. The mindset and the maturity on the court you don’t see very often, I hadn’t seen at all really. So that was quite exciting.
“Even years ago, we were talking about the best players in the world and saying, ‘This is how you’re going to be competing with them’.”
Debbie Jevans was the first British female teenager to reach the Wimbledon fourth round in 1979 – at the age of 19.
The wildcard was beaten 6-1 6-2 by 1977 women’s champion Virginia Wade.
Jevans said: “I was so nervous the night before that I didn’t sleep at all.
“Emma has seemed to feed brilliantly off it and embraced it so far.”
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Bungling SW19 chiefs initially refused to hand Raducanu a wildcard given her ranking of 338.
It was only after her displays at the ITF 100K in Nottingham that she earned the call-up.
As her profile has soared, Raducanu has been saluted by tennis legend Billie Jean King and astronaut Tim Peake.
The British No 10, who has banked at least £181,000 for making round four, said: “I have turned all my phone notifications off.
“I’ve actually received a few emails from my school teachers. It’s just been great to receive messages from my schoolmates as well.
“I can’t wait to see them once I’m done.”
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