Emma Raducanu’s opponent withdraws from Wimbledon hours before clash

Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova has pulled out of their first-round clash on the opening day of SW19 due to illness. Raducanu will instead face Mexican star Renata Zarazua, world No. 149, who comes in as a lucky loser for their match on Centre Court. The Brit has been in impressive form in the build-up to SW19, where on Monday she will take her first match at her home Slam for two years, having undergone surgery on both wrists and her ankles in 2023.

Raducanu admitted in her pre-match press conference that she had been given a “tough” draw against Alexandrova, but was delighted to be back on Centre Court. “Yeah, I think it’s a tough match. Like, she’s seeded really well. It’s obviously going to be hard,” Raducanu said. “I think that she’s got great weapons. On this surface, on grass, it only amplifies big weapons. “I’m expecting a really difficult match. I think it’s a match where I’m actually the complete underdog because, yeah, she’s a lot older, a lot more experienced, ranked a lot higher.

“For me, I feel like it’s just a great opportunity to try to get a good scalp, try to enjoy playing how I have been in the last few weeks, and just get back into it. “I mean, it’s not much time between Eastbourne and here. I feel like I’m in a good roll of it. In a way, there’s not much time to think about too much.” Raducanu needed a wildcard to compete at Wimbledon but her decision to skip the clay season could be vindicated after a strong start to summer on grass. At Nottingham she reached the semi-final, then at Eastbourne she defeated world No. 5 Jessica Pegula in en route to a quarter-final berth, the first win over a top-10 ranked player in Raducanu’s career.

It will be Zarazua’s first time at Wimbledon and the fourth Grand Slam of the 26-year-old’s career, having reached the first round of the French and Australian Opens this year.