EMMA RADUCANU says it is “full steam ahead” for Wimbledon, claiming she is fit and ready to go.
Action begins on Monday at SW19 with Raducanu returning to Centre Court, where she rose to fame prior to her US Open win last year.
The nation held its breath when she withdrew from the Nottingham Open on June 7 with a worrying side strain.
There has been fears she may not recover in time for Wimbledon but the 19-year-old is fine.
Raducanu said: “I’m very much looking forward to being back here at Wimbledon.
“It’s the most special place to be playing tennis. Just a very inspiring and motivating place.
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“I’m definitely looking forward to stepping out on court on Monday. I’m ready to go.
“I’ve definitely been managing it since Nottingham. I took two weeks off.”
On Friday there were worries when Raducanu quit her booked practice session on Court 1 with little notice.
But said said: “We had to react to the situation. I had already practised in the morning.
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“We all collectively thought it was the best decision to pass on the afternoon session as well and stay fresh and ready to go.
“This week was a good build-up. There were moments earlier on in the week we weren’t really sure [if she was going to be fit to play].
“We were sort of going to see how the week goes. But it went pretty well.
“Now it’s full steam ahead. Everyone’s really looking forward to it.
“Right now I’m fit. I’m ready to go. I’m looking forward to it. That’s it.”
Life has changed spectacularly in the 12 months since she first arrived as a wildcard for the Wimbledon main draw.
In 2021, she reached the Last 16 but withdrew from the clash with Ajla Tomljanovic due to breathing difficulties.
Soon after, Raducanu made history winning the US Open on her debut, earning a cheque for £1.8million and being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
She became the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam and she did so without dropping a set in any of her ten matches.
Raducanu is still new to playing in the major in her home city.
Emma Raducanu shocked the world when she won the US Open less than a year ago
On what Wimbledon is like she said: “It’s just the attention to detail in every single aspect that this place has.
“I mean, from the flowers to everything. They have subtle hints of tennis rackets and tennis balls in the carpets.
“The level they go to in order to make sure this place is pretty much perfect. It’s pretty outstanding.
“That attention to detail is pretty inspiring in itself. If you can take how Wimbledon thinks about their grounds, and apply it to yourself, have those sort of standards, that’s inspiration in itself.
“It’s only my second Wimbledon, and I’m really new to this still. It’s a really special feeling.”
Raducanu plays Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck on the opening day of the tournament.
As a Slam winner and the No10 seed, there will be lots of added benefits to being on site this time as a known entity.
Raducanu explained: “One of the perks is I don’t need to cross the road at Aorangi to practice now on like Court 28 or something. That’s definitely a perk.
“Last year I came straight out of my exams, I was fresh, ready to play.
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“I feel the same excitement this year, to be honest, because I think Wimbledon just brings that out of me especially.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it. Just going to play like a kid who just loves playing tennis.”
