Wimbledon: Emma Raducanu on England ‘winning ugly’ at Euro 2024 after opening victory at All England Club – Eurosport

Emma Raducanu drew a comparison to the England football team at Euro 2024 as she assessed the nerves she felt during her opening victory at Wimbledon on Monday.

While she dominated the opening set tie-break without conceding a point, early nerves ensured that the first set was far from comfortable for the former US Open champion.

Given she has had to overcome surgeries on both her wrists and an ankle, while she was also absent from the French Open, any anxiety she suffered early on would have been perfectly understandable.

“I’m incredibly happy to be back here,” she began. “I was, for sure, nervous. I’m sure everyone could see that in my tennis.

“At the end of the day, you have to just do whatever it takes to get over the line. Honestly, watching the football last night, it was like winning ugly – it all counts.

“I think it’s such a buzz in the summer time. I think the tennis, football, F1, it uplifts everyone, myself included, and my motivation is to keep coming back here, keep playing and feel that buzz.”

“It was an incredibly difficult match,” Raducanu said. “I’ve barely played a defender who’s landed the ball on the baseline, and it took a lot of strength to get the ball back.

“It’s not easy for her – you’re not playing in the morning, and suddenly you’re on Centre Court. Thanks to everyone for getting me over the line.

“I found out at 10:30 today and for the last three days, we were playing with similar opponents. It took a little bit of adjusting to find my feet.

“Thank you for the support in crucial moments. I really enjoyed being back here.”

The British wild card will next take on Elise Mertens of Belgium in the second round.