Emma Raducanu: How far can British No 1 go at Wimbledon after a successful run to HSBC Championships final at Queen’s Club | Tennis News

How far can Emma Raducanu go at Wimbledon after the British No 1 made a successful run to the HSBC Championships final at Queen’s Club.

Raducanu will be well rested having opted not to take a wild card into Eastbourne after pulling out of the tournament in Nottingham, instead choosing to practise at Wimbledon following her run to the final at Queen’s.

The tournament in west London marked her biggest run at a tour event since her victory as a qualifier in the 2021 US Open.

Raducanu played outstanding, free-hitting, aggressive tennis at Queen’s as she went on a streak of victories without losing a set until defeat in three sets against Donna Vekic in a dramatic final.

The first half of 2026 was marked by a severe post-viral illness that caused her to miss tournaments in Miami, Madrid, and Rome, and she had just one win under her belt since March.

She also suffered a first-round exit in an error-strewn display against Argentina’s Solana Sierra at the French Open.

The 23-year-old, who has gone through a steady stream of coaches since that success in New York, is back collaborating with US Open-winning coach Andrew Richardson, and that stability could turn out to be the best decision she has made in over four years heading into Wimbledon.

“I think it was a really good stepping stone,” Raducanu said after beating Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova in the opening round at Queen’s. “And I think the way I was feeling on the court, the way I was moving, the way I was expressing myself, just the whole package, not necessarily the tennis, just how I kind of was acting on the court, I really enjoyed it.

“I think that’s something that I want to take forward in all of my matches and really embrace this grass court season.”

Following her upset win over Iva Jovic to make the Queen’s final, Raducanu reiterated: “I think it’s clear this week that I had a lot of fun on the court.

“When I’m smiling and enjoying it, that’s when I feel the best level can kind of flow out from there, rather than trying to put me in any type of mould.”

“I think it’s the ‘new Emma’,” she added. “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.”

Raducanu, who threw the kitchen sink at world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a Wimbledon third-round thriller last year, enjoys her home comforts, so heading to the All England Club as 30th seed gives her genuine hope of another deep run.

“You know, playing at home, there is no feeling like it,” Raducanu said after her loss to Vekic. “I was so just in awe of the atmosphere and in awe of the support I received all week. I couldn’t really believe it.

“Even though I know I’m playing at home, it just trumps anything that you ever really think of.”

She added: “For that, I’m really grateful, and I just see how many people are behind me and rooting for me. It means a lot, because the results don’t always go your way the whole season. You see things written about you or spoken about you, but when you play at home, you’re just reminded how much support there is actually for you. It means a lot to have that.”

Is coach Richardson key to Raducanu’s Wimbledon hopes?

Four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman feels bringing back Richardson is starting to pay off for Raducanu.

She reunited with Richardson in May and has now confirmed they will work together for the rest of the season. At 6 feet 7 inches, his towering physical stature earned him the nickname “Flex”.

He is an old-school coach who likes putting in the hard yards, but he also brings a lighter touch.

Former British No 1 Henman says the work they’ve been putting in on and off the court has been a step in the right direction for Raducanu.

“I think this has been such a positive week to have Emma back competing and winning matches, playing that controlled, aggressive tennis that we’ve seen in the past,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s pretty clear to see that she was in great spirits on the court; her body language looked very positive.

“There’s so much upside from this week. It’s only one week; she’s got to keep building on it, and fingers crossed she can do that.

“I think it is great Andrew Richardson is back in her corner. Obviously, he’s known her for many, many years, a long time prior to their success at the US Open.

“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.

“I think consistency and continuity are something that has been missing for a number of years and I really hope Andrew gets the chance to keep building because this really is the first real opportunity for the relationship to flourish. This has been a really positive week for both.”

England and Raducanu dream double?

Raducanu played five matches on grass at Queen’s and came through unscathed – no injuries or niggles – just fatigue.

She has gone back to her roots, but competing against the very best players who can suffocate her game style can become an issue.

There is genuine optimism and hope that Raducanu can produce a dream Grand Slam run on home soil… and it could coincide with England producing something similar at the World Cup across the pond.

A double dose of success this summer is everything we could have hoped for!

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