Emma Raducanu asked herself emotional question before beating Wimbledon champion

Emma Raducanu had an emotional moment on Wimbledon's Centre Court during her statement 6-3 6-3 victory over 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova. After playing her opening match on Court 1, the Brit made her return to the main stage at the All England Club and produced one of her "best matches in a long time."

After setting up a mouthwatering third-round showdown with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Raducanu explained just what it meant to her to be back on Centre Court, admitting that she looked up at the stands and asked herself: "How am I meant to hit the ball right now?"

The British No. 1 produced a clinical performance to beat Vondrousova, the recent Berlin Open champion who lifted the Wimbledon trophy just two years ago. While she appeared locked in, Raducanu was pinching herself on the inside, but she managed to focus.

She finally let her emotions show after sealing a straight-set victory, smiling and giggling throughout her on-court interview and raising the microphone towards one fan who shouted out before she could answer a question.

And Raducanu later admitted that she had one special experience midway through the second set, when she looked up at the 15,000-strong crowd.

The world No. 40 said: "Yeah, I really felt a big support today. The crowd was amazing. It was so electric. I think there were certain points as well in the match that were just from both sides really high level.

"I turned one point around that I think is probably the best point I've ever played, so that was pretty crazy. I think the crowd were loving it.

"I'm just so grateful to be playing in Centre Court. There was one moment in the second set where I looked up, and I was like, 'Oh, my God, how am I meant to hit the ball right now? I'm on Centre Court playing'. I managed to stay focused and locked in.

"It's pretty special when you take a moment to soak it all up what you're actually doing out there."

And Raducanu had some extra supporters in the crowd, with plenty of childhood friends cheering her on.

She added: "Yeah, I think it adds more significance because they never really get to come and watch me. We made it an annual thing. They can come to Wimbledon. It aligns with everyone's calendar.

"A lot of them live in America. They're friends from secondary school, childhood. One of them I've known since I was six years old. Then another one since I was 14.

"Yeah, it's just so special. They're in the box there. When I look over to them, it just gives me an extra boost of motivation."

But one place Raducanu didn't want to look was the Royal Box, which was stacked with John Cena, Tom Daley and Olivia Rodrigo among the A-List guests.

"I think it's so special in the Royal Box to have those kind of people in there. It definitely adds a bit of pressure, I guess, if you look up and you kind of recognise," she smiled.

"That's why I try and stay with my eyes on the court as much as possible. Only after you kind of look up and take it all in, if they're still there."

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