Britain’s new No.1 men’s tennis star Jack Draper has heralded Emma Radacanu as one of Britain’s biggest talents. The left-handed tennis star has enjoyed a stellar rise up to No.31 in the world, becoming Team GB’s highest ranked men’s tennis star.
He recently earned the opportunity to make a huge statement by being drawn to face reigning Wimbledon champion and French Open winner Carlos Alcaraz in the Round of 16 at the Queen’s Club Championships. But while Draper is beginning to turn many heads, his rise is nothing compared to Radacanu’s explosive entrance into the scene.
Radacanu won the 2021 US Open at the age of 18becoming the fiirst British woman to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade’s Wimbledon triumph in 1977. While the now 21-year-old’s career has since been blighted by multiple changes of coach, injuries and frustrations on the court, Draper still holds her in high regard.
In a recent fashion shoot and interview with VogueDraper was asked about his fellow Brit. His answer was short, but emphatic, describing Radacanu as: “A real special talent”.
Fans will be able to watch the silky Radacanu in action at Wimbledon for the first time in two years this summer. Radacanu missed last year’s tournament having undergone surgeries to her wrist and her ankle.
She has been handed a wildcard, having climbed back up to world No.165 after making the semi-final of the Rothesay Open in Nottingham at the start of June. Radacanu is not the only major tennis star to be handed a wildcard as Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniaki will also be returning to SW19 since 2019.
The Grand Slam winners had both taken a break from tennis after becoming mothers but are ready to return to the court. Angelique Kerber, the 2018 Wimbledon champion, will also be making a comeback.
Draper and Radacanu have even more incentive to perform well at Wimbledon this year. This year’s Grand Slam has the highest prize pot in the competition’s history, with more than £50million up for grabs.
First-round losers will receive a guaranteed prize of £60,000. Radacanu is one of 11 British players to be handed a wildcard for this year’s slam. Francesca Jones, Heather Watson, Yuriko Miyazaki, Liam Broady, Jan Choinski, Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery, Paul Jubb and last year’s boys champion Henry Searle, were all handed wildcards for the competition this year.
Radacanu’s best performance at Wimbledon came in 2021 when she reached the fourth round. Meanwhile, Draper will be looking to improve on his finest display in the competition in 2022, when he made it to the second round.
Draper was forced to miss Wimbledon last year after suffring a shoulder injury at the French Open.
