Emma Raducanu awaits Wimbledon draw as potentially tough road looms

As Emma Raducanu prepares for her return to Wimbledon, all eyes are on the tournament draw, which could set her on a daunting path toward a second Grand Slam title. The 22-year-old British star, who famously won the US Open in 2021, arrives at SW19 with less-than-ideal preparation following a recent back injury and a disappointing early exit at Eastbourne.

Tough preparation ahead of Wimbledon

Raducanu's comeback trail hit a bump last week when she was defeated by teenage prospect Maya Joint. Struggling with back issues, she admitted feeling physically and mentally fatigued ahead of her Wimbledon campaign.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get over the line today but I can get some rest ahead of next week, Raducanu told the BBC following the loss. I feel quite tired. Just going through some stuff and I need to do my best to get my head in the game ahead of next week.

A nightmare draw could await

Unseeded at this year’s Championships, Raducanu is vulnerable to facing top players from the outset. One possible first-round opponent is Iga Swiatek, a matchup that has not favored the Brit in the past. Swiatek, currently the No. 8 seed, has defeated Raducanu in all five of their previous encounters, including a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win at the French Open earlier this month.

Despite a drop in the rankings, the Polish star remains a formidable presence. Raducanu has acknowledged the mental and physical toll these matchups take, stating Swiatek is “always fired up” when they meet.

A grueling path to the Final?

Should Raducanu pull off a surprise win over Swiatek, her journey only becomes more treacherous. A potential quarter-final clash with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who is hungry for redemption after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff, could await her.

Raducanu might also find herself facing American star Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals and possibly a title-deciding showdown with Gauff, one of the sport’s brightest talents, in the final.

While the road ahead looks arduous, Raducanu has defied expectations before. However, replicating the magic of 2021 would require navigating through an elite lineup of top seeds—no small feat for someone still battling fitness concerns and seeking consistency.