Archive June 30, 2025

British number one Emma Raducanu said she would give her coach Mark Petchey an “11 out of 10” after she secured a comfortable victory over compatriot Mimi Xu to progress to the second round at Wimbledon.

Raducanu swiftly wrapped up the 6-3 6-3 win against 17-year-old Xu, who was making her maiden Grand Slam appearance.

The Welsh teenager showed glimpses of the potential that earned her a wildcard in this year’s main draw at SW19.

But Raducanu quickly settled into her rhythm on Court One and showcased some of the free-hitting style she has enjoyed at the grass-court warm-up events.

The 22-year-old has previously struggled to settle on a coach but brought Petchey – a well-known figure in British tennis circles who has previously worked with Andy Murray – into her team on a casual basis at the Miami Open in March.

The result of that partnership, as well as the return of childhood coach Nick Cavaday – who stepped aside for health reasons in January – has appeared pivotal for Raducanu as she looked at ease and comfortable in sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

“I’d give him 11 out of 10,” she said of Petchey.

“He’s been everything the last few months for me. I’ve really enjoyed being around him. He’s helped me so much on all fronts, tennis, off-court. “

Victory comes after a successful opening day for the British players with victories for Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris and qualifier Oliver Tarvet.

Currently ranked at number 40 in the world, Raducanu regained her position as British number one at Queen’s earlier this month.

Generally looking happier and more relaxed, the 2021 US Open champion has reached two WTA quarter-finals this year and returned to the world’s top 40.

But, after a difficult build-up which included an emotional tournament at Eastbourne last week and having to pull out of the Berlin Open because of an ongoing back issue, Raducanu said she “does not expect much” at Wimbledon.

But she quickly looked at home in front of a home crowd eager to support both sides with cries of “come on Britain! ” from the stands.

An immediate break of serve gave Raducanu a foothold in the match and more break points followed.

But Xu, who is ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, fended them off in a lengthy third game, much to the delight of the Welsh fans in attendance, willing on their first player to enter the Wimbledon main singles draw in 20 years.

Xu held her own and settled into the match but a slew of mistakes eventually handed Raducanu the first set.

The second set began in much the same fashion, with an early break of serve from Raducanu.

But this time Xu responded with a break of her own and a topsy-turvy encounter followed as neither player could hold onto their serve.

As was the case at Queen’s earlier this month, Raducanu has appeared more relaxed and happy during this grass-court swing.

Much of that seems to be down to the decision to bring back Petchey and Cavaday during a difficult period for Raducanu where she was targeted by a stalker during a match in Dubai.

She was left in tears and hiding behind the umpire’s chair at the tournament in February and has since said she is “wary” of going out.

At Queen’s Raducanu said she is happier when she can be “free and expressive” on court while her partnership with compatriot Katie Boulter in the doubles was evidence of a more content and care-free Raducanu.

It was a welcome sight for the home fans after a period of injury struggle and uncertainty.

Those smiles were on display again in her opening round match at Wimbledon, which she called her “favourite tournament by far”.

After comfortably sealing the first set, Raducanu even turned litter picker when she retrieved a champagne cork that had popped onto court, laughing and smiling at the crowd.

“It was a first! ” she said after.

Emma Raducanu, the British world number one, defeated compatriot Mimi Xu comfortably to advance to the second round of her “favorite tournament,” Wimbledon.

Xu, 17, who was making her first Grand Slam appearance, was quickly defeated by Raducanu, who won 6-3, 6-3.

The Welsh teenager showed signs of the potential that earned her a wildcard in SW19’s main draw this year.

But Raducanu found her feet on court one and displayed some of the free-hitting play she had enjoyed during the grass-court warm-up events.

As she tries to improve her run to the fourth round of last year, the 22-year-old appeared unaffected by the still-sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

“It’s really nice to be back,” he said. She said, “I just use it as support and I love it.”

“I’m just so happy to get another match here because it’s by far my favorite tournament.”

Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris, and qualifier Oliver Tarvet all won on the opening day of the British players’ championship.

Raducanu, who is currently ranked 40 in the world, reclaimed her position at Queen’s earlier this month as the country’s top female.

The 2021 US Open champion, who has already reached two WTA quarter-finals this year, returned to the top 40 overall and appeared happier and more at ease.

However, Raducanu said she “does not expect much” at Wimbledon after a difficult build-up, including an emotional tournament at Eastbourne last week and having to withdraw from the Berlin Open due to an ongoing back issue.

But she quickly yelled “come on Britain” in front of a home crowd that was eager to support both sides in front of her! from the spectators.

Raducanu gained a foothold in the match with a break of serve right away, and more break points followed.

However, Xu, who is ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, prevailed over them in a protracted third game, much to the delight of the Welsh fans present, who were prepared to see their first Wimbledon main singles player in 20 years.

Despite making numerous errors, Xu managed to hold her own and get comfortable with the match.

Raducanu broke the serve early in the second set, which was much the same as the first set.

However, this time, Xu took a break of her own, leading to a topsy-turvy encounter as neither player could hold onto their serve.

Emma Raducanu, the British world number one, defeated compatriot Mimi Xu comfortably to advance to the second round of her “favorite tournament,” Wimbledon.

Xu, 17, who was making her first Grand Slam appearance, was quickly defeated by Raducanu, who won 6-3, 6-3.

The Welsh teenager showed signs of the potential that earned her a wildcard in SW19’s main draw this year.

But Raducanu found her feet on court one and displayed some of the free-hitting play she had enjoyed during the grass-court warm-up events.

As she tries to improve her run to the fourth round of last year, the 22-year-old appeared unaffected by the still-sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

“It’s really nice to be back,” he said. She said, “I just use it as support and I love it.”

“I’m just so happy to get another match here because it’s by far my favorite tournament.”

Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris, and qualifier Oliver Tarvet all won on the opening day of the British players’ championship.

Raducanu, who is currently ranked 40 in the world, reclaimed her position at Queen’s earlier this month as the country’s top female.

The 2021 US Open champion, who has already reached two WTA quarter-finals this year, returned to the top 40 overall and appeared happier and more at ease.

However, Raducanu said she “does not expect much” at Wimbledon after a difficult build-up, including an emotional tournament at Eastbourne last week and having to withdraw from the Berlin Open due to an ongoing back issue.

But she quickly yelled “come on Britain” in front of a home crowd that was eager to support both sides in front of her! from the spectators.

Raducanu gained a foothold in the match with a break of serve right away, and more break points followed.

However, Xu, who is ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, prevailed over them in a protracted third game, much to the delight of the Welsh fans present, who were prepared to see their first Wimbledon main singles player in 20 years.

Despite making numerous errors, Xu managed to hold her own and get comfortable with the match.

Raducanu broke the serve early in the second set, which was much the same as the first set.

However, this time, Xu took a break of her own, leading to a topsy-turvy encounter as neither player could hold onto their serve.

Emma Raducanu, the British world number one, defeated compatriot Mimi Xu comfortably to advance to the second round of her “favorite tournament,” Wimbledon.

Xu, 17, who was making her first Grand Slam appearance, was quickly defeated by Raducanu, who won 6-3, 6-3.

The Welsh teenager showed signs of the potential that earned her a wildcard in SW19’s main draw this year.

But Raducanu found her feet on court one and displayed some of the free-hitting play she had enjoyed during the grass-court warm-up events.

As she tries to improve her run to the fourth round of last year, the 22-year-old appeared unaffected by the still-sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

“It’s really nice to be back,” he said. She said, “I just use it as support and I love it.”

“I’m just so happy to get another match here because it’s by far my favorite tournament.”

Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris, and qualifier Oliver Tarvet all won on the opening day of the British players’ championship.

Raducanu, who is currently ranked 40 in the world, reclaimed her position at Queen’s earlier this month as the country’s top female.

The 2021 US Open champion, who has already reached two WTA quarter-finals this year, returned to the top 40 overall and appeared happier and more at ease.

However, Raducanu said she “does not expect much” at Wimbledon after a difficult build-up, including an emotional tournament at Eastbourne last week and having to withdraw from the Berlin Open due to an ongoing back issue.

But she quickly yelled “come on Britain” in front of a home crowd that was eager to support both sides in front of her! from the spectators.

Raducanu gained a foothold in the match with a break of serve right away, and more break points followed.

However, Xu, who is ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, prevailed over them in a protracted third game, much to the delight of the Welsh fans present, who were prepared to see their first Wimbledon main singles player in 20 years.

Despite making numerous errors, Xu managed to hold her own and get comfortable with the match.

Raducanu broke the serve early in the second set, which was much the same as the first set.

However, this time, Xu took a break of her own, leading to a topsy-turvy encounter as neither player could hold onto their serve.

Emma Raducanu, the British world number one, defeated compatriot Mimi Xu comfortably to advance to the second round of her “favorite tournament,” Wimbledon.

Xu, 17, who was making her first Grand Slam appearance, was quickly defeated by Raducanu, who won 6-3, 6-3.

The Welsh teenager showed signs of the potential that earned her a wildcard in SW19’s main draw this year.

But Raducanu found her feet on court one and displayed some of the free-hitting play she had enjoyed during the grass-court warm-up events.

As she tries to improve her run to the fourth round of last year, the 22-year-old appeared unaffected by the still-sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

“It’s really nice to be back,” he said. She said, “I just use it as support and I love it.”

“I’m just so happy to get another match here because it’s by far my favorite tournament.”

Sonay Kartal, Arthur Fery, Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris, and qualifier Oliver Tarvet all won on the opening day of the British players’ championship.

Raducanu, who is currently ranked 40 in the world, reclaimed her position at Queen’s earlier this month as the country’s top female.

The 2021 US Open champion, who has already reached two WTA quarter-finals this year, returned to the top 40 overall and appeared happier and more at ease.

However, Raducanu said she “does not expect much” at Wimbledon after a difficult build-up, including an emotional tournament at Eastbourne last week and having to withdraw from the Berlin Open due to an ongoing back issue.

But she quickly yelled “come on Britain” in front of a home crowd that was eager to support both sides in front of her! from the spectators.

Raducanu gained a foothold in the match with a break of serve right away, and more break points followed.

However, Xu, who is ranked just outside the top 300 in the world, prevailed over them in a protracted third game, much to the delight of the Welsh fans present, who were prepared to see their first Wimbledon main singles player in 20 years.

Despite making numerous errors, Xu managed to hold her own and get comfortable with the match.

Raducanu broke the serve early in the second set, which was much the same as the first set.

However, this time, Xu took a break of her own, leading to a topsy-turvy encounter as neither player could hold onto their serve.

Following an internal investigation into Sir Lee Pearson’s conduct, British Equestrian and British Dressage have lifted his suspension as a 14-time Paralympic gold medalist.

After his membership was reinstated, Pearson is now free to compete abroad and not compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Sir Lee will return to the British Equestrian World Class Program with “urgent effect” and will be able to compete and coach both domestically and abroad, according to a statement from British Equestrian.

With 14 gold medals, the 51-year-old cyclist is Britain’s third-most successful paralympic athlete, only to be surpassed by swimmer Mike Kenny and cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.

The Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028, which ParalympicsGB claimed it was open to, was a statement released last year. Pearson, a British flagbearer at Rio 2016, had already stated his intention to compete there.

Lee has publicly stated that because of personal reasons, he did not intend to apply for Paris 2024.

He and the British Equine team are in charge of this, and it does not diminish his previous accomplishments or the possibility that he might compete in the Paralympics in the future.

Prior to the Paris Paralympics in May of last year, a four-strong British Para-equestrian team was chosen for the event. Pearson’s suspension was in place. He was not qualified for selection because he had not competed since March 2023.