The ‘new’ Emma Raducanu is into the Queen’s final (Image: Getty)
Emma Raducanu says she is “back and better” after reaching her third career final, and her first on home soil at the Queen’s Club. The British No. 1 has not dropped a set so far this week and won two matches on Saturday, beating lucky loser Kamille Rakhimova and No. 6 seed Iva Jovic, to reach the championship match.
The 23-year-old is now one win away from claiming her second title, almost five years after she won the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier. And the world No. 42 feels that she is a “new Emma” after learning plenty of lessons since that historic triumph in New York.
Raducanu will face lucky loser Donna Vekic in Sunday’s final, and she’s planning to bring a specific group of fans back to the west London club just for that match, after they spurred her on to victory.
There has been plenty of waiting around for Raducanu this week, with rain wreaking havoc on the schedule, while her quarter-final match was cancelled at around 7.45pm on Friday when play went long. But she has beaten Anna Blinkova, Sorana Cirstea, and now Rakhimova and Jovic in commanding fashion, and looks back to her best.
With old coach Andrew Richardson – the man who guided her to that US Open title – back in her corner, the Brit is feeling better than ever. But she clarified: “I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily the ‘old Emma’.
“I think it’s the new Emma because you take all of your lessons and experiences and all the ups and downs. You understand more of what’s going on, what works for you, and that’s it, yeah, I’m back and better.”
Raducanu drew plenty of energy from her team during both matches, and added: “I think especially in the months when results weren’t necessarily going our way, and their resilience, the support, you know, unconditionally, regardless of results, they really believed in me.
Emma Raducanu felt the love from the home crowd as she won two matches in one day (Image: Getty)
“So I really wanted to take the opportunity to thank them. Yeah, I really think they have stuck by me through some difficult moments. I’m just really, really happy and proud of the team.”
And they weren’t the only ones in her corner. The British No. 1 has felt the love of the home crowd this week, and gave a special shoutout to a group who had been cheering “Radders” on throughout her semi-final against Jovic.
Speaking on court, Raducanu said: “Can I just give a shoutout – there’s, like, three guys over there, I was 0-30 on one service game and I had the ‘Radders’ going. All the support today has been incredible.”
Now, she has tasked her agents with finding the trio, and inviting them back on Sunday. “Any sort of play on the name I quite like. But hearing the Radders, and also, just in that moment they were so loud and penetrated through the rest of the crowd,” she grinned.
“Yeah, I was really grateful for them, and I really hope they can come back tomorrow. Regardless, I will get my agents to find them and get them back tomorrow.”
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy