THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 27, 2022

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

E. RADUCANU/A. Van Uytvanck

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Emma, tell us about your first experience on Centre Court.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it was an amazing experience on Centre Court. It was the first time I played on there. From the moment I walked out through those gates, I could really just feel the energy and the support and everyone was behind me from the word 'go'.

Yeah, I just really tried to cherish every single point on there. Yeah, played every point like it could have been one of my last on that court.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You let out quite a roar when you won that match. Was that relief?

EMMA RADUCANU: It wasn't relief, it was just happiness. To play on Centre Court and get a win first time, it's amazing. Now every time I go back, I'm just going to have a great first experience. That always helps.

It was a tricky match because Alison is a great opponent. She hits the ball really low and flat, and it definitely suits this surface. I knew that going in I was going to have to play well.

Yeah, I'm pleased to have come through the tough moments.

Q. The other day you said that given your preparation you feel like you should play with low expectations. Were you able to do that on the day given how big the occasion is, what it felt like?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I definitely feel that because I didn't play tennis for two weeks, then this week I've hit like an hour a day. My preparation wasn't necessarily the greatest.

But I know that when it comes to the matches, I feel like I really especially switch on. I don't feel like I need massive amount of preparation. Of course, I do to build physically.

I think a lot of it is mental, and I definitely went out with the belief today. I know that I can compete with anyone on the other side of the court when I really go for it.

Q. Having Jane O'Donoghue with you here, can you explain the thinking behind that, what she's bringing to you on and off the court.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, Jane, she's been with me since I was 10 years old. She's a family friend. She's been there throughout my career, you know, whenever I've sort of needed help. She's very successful in her industry.

So, yeah, it's just great to have someone that I've known for years be there for me this week. Yeah, that's what she's always done, just be there for me whenever I've needed her or a hand.

Q. Were you able to take a second when you walked out onto Centre Court to kind of compare and contrast what that was like compared with last year or were you game face by then?

EMMA RADUCANU: I definitely took it in. I looked at the crowd, just saw everyone. Noise was just amazing to hear from the word 'go'. When the crowd filled out a little bit as the match went on, even more so in the tricky moments. I think they really pulled me through some tough ones.

Yeah, I took it in, of course. How many times do you get to walk out on Centre Court?

Q. We can see you are wearing Rafa's logo right now. Is there a reason you're wearing it? Do you take it from the year he's had?

EMMA RADUCANU: Of course, I think Rafa just embodies fight, that sort of energy. That's what I'm bringing in. In terms of energy-wise, I think that I have had a tough year, like it's no secret. It is all worth it just to go out on Centre Court and get a win like that.

I definitely am very happy to be here. All the lessons I've taken from the last year will only hold me in good stead for the future.

Q. A little bit more about Jane. You mentioned she's been very successful in the industry she's in now. She has a tennis background as well. Are you working with her? Do you talk about tennis, life, how you're feeling? Is she there for company, for want of a better word?

EMMA RADUCANU: She's there for everything. She always has been. She's helped me a little bit with the tennis. When I was 11, 12, she was national coach. She traveled with me, took me on trips.

But, yeah, since she went into the industry, we just sort of chat about life and everything. Yeah, she's just a great family friend I would say.

Q. Was there anything today that surprised you at all on Centre Court? Anything you looked at and thought, This is new?

EMMA RADUCANU: The only thing that was different was walking out, we both walk out at the same time, so I wasn't really sure about that. Anytime you're walking out onto Centre Court, it's going to be cool.

And everything else, yeah, I was prepared for. Definitely from the minute I think the coin toss and the first point, I was right in there.

Q. It was a great atmosphere out there. I noticed early in the match at 1-All, she was up 30-Love, you kind of gestured to yourself like putting your hands down. Was that to calm yourself internally, the noise of the crowd? What other techniques do you use to stay calm and focused on court?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think that it was in the second set, it was a tricky beginning of the second set. I got broken but I had chances. First game I was 40-Love up. It's a bit frustrating if you don't convert, like, five break points or something.

Yeah, it was probably just calm myself down and stay focused. I'd say that I was really just playing every single point like in the moment. That definitely really helped.

Q. I know it's only one match into Wimbledon. Does it feel like this tournament could prove the turnaround for your season in 2020?

EMMA RADUCANU: Well, I just won my first round like (laughter).

I definitely feel a really good energy. Like how can you not playing here? Just walking around, you really feel the positivity. I feel like I've learnt a lot in the last year.

But it hasn't necessarily all been terrible. I won my first round at every slam. As a 19-year-old, I pretty much just took my gap year and, like, starting again now.

If the last year hadn't have happened, then I think that any 19-year-old walking onto Centre Court would be a positive experience for you. And it was. And I definitely embodied that today.

Q. You referenced the physical issues that you've had recently. How did you think you did today? How did you feel after the game? Are you confident you're going to be physically capable of a deep run in this tournament?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think that it helps at slams that you get a day off in between, so I think that is pretty valuable. I think that having played the match just now, right now I think that I'm still, like, very much on adrenaline.

I felt good out there. There were some tough moments in the second set physically, but I told myself, Push through, if you win in two sets, then you don't have to play three. That's the tactic (smiling).

Q. Your next opponent, Caroline Garcia, can I have your thoughts?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, Caroline is a great opponent. I played her earlier on in the year in Indian Wells and it was a tricky match. She plays pretty fast tennis. I'm ready for that.

Yeah, right now I'm kind of just enjoying the win. But tomorrow I'll prepare well and, yeah, be ready to go Wednesday.

Q. Winning your Centre Court debut in front of your home crowd, where does that rank in all the things you've done over the past year?

EMMA RADUCANU: I would say it's funny 'cause this place for me is, like, still the most special, the most prestigious. Although Centre Court size-wise is smaller than Ashe by quite a lot, it definitely feels bigger in significance. Just the feeling that I get here is definitely special compared to all the other tournaments.

But it's tough to say. I mean, I wouldn't take away winning the US Open for anything. No matter what life throws at me, I've got that. Yeah, it's up there (smiling).

Q. Going back to the game. Are you pleased with the way you kind of worked your way through the game? It looked like you were thinking of a way, getting lower and lower. It must be satisfying that you worked out a way to overcome the challenges.

EMMA RADUCANU: Alison, her game is really awkward. She has great hands. She'll chip one back, and it will just die on the floor. Then she'll hit one and it's really flat and fast. You don't really know what's going to come at you.

I was very pleased with the way I sort of adapted to everything that she threw at me. Yeah, it was definitely some tricky moments where I broke back, then I held some really tough service games, especially at the beginning. My first service games, I was really pleased to get that one.

But, yeah, she's a great opponent. She's very experienced and has won a lot of matches recently.

Q. You've had so many new experiences over the last year. How much does it help, or does it help to start sort of coming back and doing things for the second time, to be playing people you've already played before?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think that it helps just with experience. Every tournament or every match you play, you learn something. It helps it all be a positive tool for the future.

I think in a way, when you haven't played anyone before, it helps, too, because no one knows you, no one knows your game. That is something that I experienced in a positive way last summer because no one really knew who I was.

Since, I think that people have definitely watched me and raised their level and raised their game and played some great tennis. I haven't necessarily played badly in a lot of the matches.

I think that coming back here is always going to be a special tournament for me, my home tournament. I've got incredible memories. I'm just looking forward to playing here again.

Q. You mentioned you have now won at least one main draw match at each of your first five majors. How do you regularly find your best tennis at Grand Slams?

EMMA RADUCANU: I'd say big matches and big occasions are the ones that I really sort of get the most fired up for. It's definitely a different feeling. I love playing on the big stages, big occasions.

I think that instead of, like, shying away from it, I really thrive in that. It's special to come through the first round because first rounds are always tricky. There's definitely an element of, I haven't done this before, I haven't played on Centre Court, you haven't played a match at that tournament.

Yeah, I'm pleased to have come through and hoping to play well tomorrow, the day after.