Emma Raducanu has given British tennis fans genuine reason for optimism ahead of Wimbledon after reaching the final at Queen’s Club this week.The 23-year-old delivered her most impressive tournament performance since that unforgettable US Open victory back in 2021, winning match after match without dropping a single set.Her aggressive, free-flowing style was back on full display in west London, and it’s clear she’s rediscovered her love for the game.”I think it’s the ‘new Emma’,” she said after her final defeat to Donna Vekic. “Because you take all the lessons and experience, all the different ups and downs, and you understand a lot more of what’s going on and what works for you. I’m back and better.”Emma Raducanu has opted out of using her wildcard pick for Eastbourne | GETTYThe decision to bring back Andrew Richardson as her coach looks like a masterstroke.Raducanu reunited with the man who guided her to US Open glory back in May, and they’ve now committed to working together for the rest of the season.
Raducanu’s old coach is back
At 6 feet 7 inches tall, Richardson earned the nickname “Flex” and brings an old-school work ethic combined with a lighter touch that clearly suits his charge.Tim Henman has been impressed by what he’s seen.”I think it is great Andrew Richardson is back in her corner,” the four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist told Sky Sports. Emma Raducanu has reunited with the coach who guided her to one of the most remarkable triumphs in tennis history, with Andrew Richardson returning to her team | GETTY”You can hear his input from the side of the court, he was a good player himself, a very good coach and fingers crossed Emma will stick with it.”Henman believes consistency has been the missing ingredient for years, and this partnership finally offers that stability.What makes her Queen’s run even more remarkable is the challenging start she’s had to 2026.
Raducanu’s illness finally over
Emma Raducanu suffered from a viral illness that forced her out of action for months | GETTYA nasty post-viral illness knocked her sideways earlier in the year, forcing her to withdraw from tournaments in Miami, Madrid and Rome.Before Queen’s, she’d managed just a single victory since March and had suffered a first-round exit along the way.The fact she came through five matches on grass without any injury concerns is hugely encouraging – just fatigue, which is entirely understandable given what she’s been through.”I think it was a really good stepping stone,” Raducanu reflected. “The way I was feeling on the court, the way I was moving, the way I was expressing myself, just the whole package… I really enjoyed it.”
A Wimbledon seeding shake-up could cause problems
Wimbledon gets underway on June 29 | GBNEWSThere’s a potential cloud on the horizon, though.Commentators Andrew Castle and John Lloyd have been pushing for Wimbledon to slash its seedings from 32 down to 16, arguing it would create more exciting early-round clashes.Castle made his case during the Queen’s men’s final: “I think there should be 16 and then we would have better matches in the first week, guaranteed.”For Raducanu, currently sitting at world number 32 and expected to be seeded 30th at SW19, such a change could prove problematic.Without that protected seeding, she might find herself facing one of the sport’s biggest names in the opening rounds rather than having a clearer path through the first week.The tournament begins on June 29, so time will tell whether any shake-up materialises.