Emma Raducanu has made headlines not only for her impressive performance at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships but also for her decision to forgo voting in the UK general election. The election, scheduled for July 4, coincides with Raducanu’s campaign at her home Grand Slam.
In a surprising revelation, Raducanu admitted she was unaware of the election date, stating that she would prioritize a “lie-in” over participating in the democratic process.
Despite this, Raducanu has been excelling on the court, securing a decisive 7-6(0), 6-3 victory over Renata Zarazua in her opening match at SW19. Her dominance continued in the second round, where she defeated Elise Mertens with a score of 6-1, 6-2. The 21-year-old British star expressed her delight with her performance and the vibrant atmosphere at Wimbledon, which she said energized her game.
Looking ahead, Raducanu faces a challenging third-round match against Maria Sakkari. While Raducanu holds a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head record, she recognizes the altered circumstances of their upcoming clash. Raducanu anticipates a difficult encounter, acknowledging that the dynamics of playing in the third round are quite different from their previous meeting in the US Open semifinals.
Should Raducanu advance past Sakkari, she will then compete against the winner of the match between Lulu Sun and Zhu Lin in the fourth round. With her focus firmly on the tournament, Raducanu is determined to enjoy her experience at Wimbledon, embracing her role as the underdog and aiming to make the most of her home crowd’s support.