Emma Raducanu handed nightmare Wimbledon draw as six Grand Slam winners could await
Emma Raducanu may have to overcome a series of hugely challenging matchups to reach the latter stages of the women's singles at Wimbledon - including a potential third-round clash against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Raducanu, who is currently the British number one in singles, comes into the third Grand Slam of the year in good form after reaching the final at Queen's earlier this month.
It was her second appearance at a final this year on the WTA Tour and, perhaps more significantly, her first final on grass.
Raducanu lost in straight sets to Croatia's Donna Vekic, who reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon two years ago.
Advert
Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021, hasn't progressed beyond round four at Wimbledon and will hope that her recent performances provide a platform for a positive run in SW19.
According to reports, the 23-year-old is currently managing a shin problem, and missed practice on Thursday.
But she was in the main draw as a seeded player when it was made on Friday morning, with her first round assignment pitching her up against Croatian number one Antonia Ruzic in section one.
If she progresses, Raducanu will face either 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko or British wildcard player Harriet Dart in round two.
Things then get even more challenging, with a potential match-up against Sabalenka on the horizon in round three.
Raducanu lost to Sabalenka in straight sets at Wimbledon last year, but did provide a tough test for the Belarusian and may well feel she has a better chance this year if the match does take place.
Should the Brit overcome the opening three rounds, her 2021 US Open final opponent Leylah Fernandez or four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka will likely await in the fourth round.
READ NEXT: British world No. 331 reaches Wimbledon main draw despite losing in qualifying
Reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, meanwhile, has been drawn into section two, while Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are in sections three or four and could face off for a spot in the semi-finals.
If Raducanu is able to pull off some significant heroics and reach the final, she would face a member of the opposite section of the draw - made up of the likes of Amanda Anisimova, world number two Elena Rybakina and world number eight Elina Svitolina.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek is also in the bottom section of the draw.
Matches to watch out for in Wimbledon women's singles draw
The 2026 edition of Wimbledon is set to be the first time that Serena Williams has played in a women's singles event since 2022, having come out of retirement to return to professional tennis.
She faces Australia's Maya Joint, who qualified for Wimbledon for the first time last year, in round one.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka takes on qualifier Teadora Kostovic, while Swiatek is up against American doubles star Taylor Townsend in the first round
French Open champion Mirra Andreeva has been drawn against Poland's Magda Linette, while her Roland Garros final opponent Maja Chwalinska faces Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the same section of the draw.
Despite reaching the final at Roland Garros, Chwalinska was reliant on receiving a wildcard to play at Wimbledon because her ranking was not high enough by the cut-off deadline last month.
She was granted a wildcard by organisers and, because of her incredible run at the French Open, is seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
In terms of other British direct entry interests, Katie Boulter faces qualifier Tyra Caterina Grant of Italy, while Fran Jones will take on France's Diane Parry.
You can view the full draw here.
Topics: Emma Raducanu, Wimbledon, Tennis
Ryan Smart