THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 1, 2021

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

E. RADUCANU/V. Vondrousova

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. That's quadrupled your prize money, a lot of money. For someone so young to get that sort of cash, what does it mean, what that can it do for your career and private life?

EMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it's quite incredible really. I think for me, I'll definitely use it. I'm sort of at the beginning of my career, just tapping into great coaches. Tennis is an expensive sport. To travel and compete week in, week out, it's definitely going to go towards funding that.

Yeah, I'm definitely very grateful for the opportunity that I received this week. I'm just trying to make the most out of it.

Q. In the opening game, you hit two returns long. You sort of brushed it off with a smile. A lot of people in your position might have not had their confidence after that. Where does your confidence come from?

EMA RADUCANU: Well, actually I think I hit a bounce smash that went about back fence, and also a drive volley that went close to back fence. I knew I was setting up the point well, but that final shot execution was slightly off I would say by a couple meters (laughter).

I knew I was doing the right thing. If I continued doing that over the course of the match, it would pay off. I'm glad I did, I kept going for my shots and got rewarded for it in the end.

Q. How did you hold your nerves in the situation? You were very composed down a few games. Anything you think about that helps you, technique you use?

EMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think playing in front of a home crowd definitely helps. I mean, their support is so loud and they're so behind me. I'm really grateful. I've definitely got that in the back of my mind.

Also I was just thinking, you know, to play every point like it was my last point, like it was match point, it was my last point here at Wimbledon. I think that also is a trick that I've been playing with myself (smiling).

Q. I think you're waiting for your A level results. If you were to have to choose, what would you go for, A stars in all your subjects or round four of Wimbledon?

EMA RADUCANU: I'd have to say round four of Wimbledon. I think anyone that knows me would be like, What? Everyone thinks I'm absolutely fanatic about my school results. They think I have such an inflated ego about it.

Actually, I would say I have high standards of myself. That's helped me get to where I am in terms of tennis and also in terms of school results.

I'd still pick round four.

Q. You've already had congratulations from Andy Murray and other people on social media. Are you ready to become the center of the country's attention on Saturday?

EMA RADUCANU: Well, it's funny, I haven't actually opened my phone yet since the match. I'm really grateful for all the messages that I've been receiving. I'm sorry if I can't reply to all of them right now. But just know I'm really grateful and appreciative about them all.

It definitely helps. Like when I have some downtime, I start scrolling and reading all their positive messages, it just gives me such a great feeling that I've got this many people behind me. I'm really, really grateful for everyone's support.

Q. Sorana Cirstea said you two met before the tournament via your coach. What do you make about getting to play her and how familiar you are with her game and career?

EMA RADUCANU: Well, I know that she's done great things in her career. I think that for me it's another match where I'm going to go out there and I've got nothing to lose again. I'm really just here enjoying myself and trying to stay here for as long as I can. I think that's the motivation for me (smiling).

I just go out of the there and I feel like I've got nothing to lose. The crowd has been so supportive, I just really want to do them proud, and everyone who has been supporting me for all these years.

Q. Can I ask you about your coach, Nigel? How did you two get together? What is he like behind the scenes?

EMA RADUCANU: We started initially when I was 15 years old on and off. He would consult a couple of weeks at a time. I think he's a great coach with so much experience. Very, like, cheerful, funny guy. I think we get on great off court. That's also important in a relationship, a coaching relationship.

To be able to have someone like him in my corner, it definitely gives me a lot of confidence in these situations to know that he believes in me. Yeah, I'm really grateful that he's taken a chance on me.

Q. Your next opponent knocked out Jo Konta from a couple of the Grand Slams recently. Would you speak to Jo, get some tips?

EMA RADUCANU: I would say that me and my team would go on and create a game plan ourselves. I tend to do it more with my team and my coaches. Obviously I do take some advice, like, from other players who have played her.

But I think this one, it would just be more internal.

Q. Why do people think you have an inflated ego with your A levels? When did you first realize you had the potential to get a result like this, to compete at Wimbledon?

EMA RADUCANU: I think my parents just think I'm crazy. I won't accept anything less than an A star. I think that's what people around me think about me (laughter).

I also feel like I have to live up to that expectation now. That's why I also work so hard to try and get those grades. I'm not sure what I'm going to come back with, but I did my part, I did my best.

The second part of the question?

Q. In your young career, when did you think you had the potential to get a result like this, compete against top hundred players?

EMA RADUCANU: Well, I would say that I had never played that many tournaments I think throughout the years because of various reasons, injuries, school, niggles. I didn't compete that much, but still I managed to maintained a pretty good ranking.

I kept that belief that once I had the opportunity to go out and play, given such an opportunity to play at The Championships, I had that intrinsic belief I could do it.

I would hit with these players, like last week. It's been so great for me to see how they train, will to try to compare myself a little bit in the regards like what can they do that I can't. It's just been great to see where I stand with my level.

Q. Who in particular have you been hitting with last week? Has your family been able to watch? If not, are you hoping they'll be Saturday?

EMA RADUCANU: Yeah, my family have been here. They've been watching. I actually even saw a couple school friends in the crowd, too. Also a few people I've known over the years that have helped me and my tennis, Jenna Donohue, she's played a big part in my career. My mum and dad have been here. (Indiscernible), my fitness trainer.

What was the first part? Oh, yeah.

I actually hit with Marketa once last week with an hour. I actually hit with Garbine Muguruza. I was so chuffed just to be able to hit with her and see, like, how intense she was. It definitely, like, made something click in my head, Wow, this is the level I need to be training at. I need to be this intense if I want to achieve anything remotely near to what she has.

I think that definitely was a small turning point in my head. I even got the opportunity to hit with her again. That made me feel really good that I produced in the first hit.

Q. Wimbledon puts everyone on a massive pedestal, millions watching it. People are going to know your name now, your face. You'll be considered a celebrity in the eyes of some. Are you ready for that change in your life or is that something you would want and crave, that notoriety, being well-known for your tennis?

EMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I would say that I haven't even thought about anything that would be to come. I'm just really enjoying my experience and my journey that I'm going through right now.

I think for me, someone who has not been able to compete much, has always been sort of held back by something, I think that just to be able to be at The Championships, I feel like I'm on a holiday, like it's unbelievable. I just want to stay here for as long as I can.

Q. You mentioned a few times being held back by injuries. How has that been? Has it been frustrating? How have you dealt with that?

EMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it has at times been a little bit frustrating because you see the players that you've been growing up with and they're achieving -- at the moment there's so many young players that are doing so well on the WTA Tour and the seniors.

It's definitely been a little bit, like, sometimes it gets to you a little bit, Oh, I wish I could just have the opportunity to compete, then maybe I could do the same.

I think that the most important thing is when I'm given the opportunity, like I have been this week, just to try and make the most out of it. This is, like, my opportunity to show that I am there, that my level is there. So far I think I've been doing a pretty good job. I just hope to make the people and everyone proud.