By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Picture credit score: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Crimson clay season was a sink gap for Emma Raducanu.
At the moment, the 2021 US Open champion put her finest foot ahead in her grass court docket return.
Raducanu reeled off eight straight video games dismissing qualifier Anna Blinkova, 6-0, 6-3 on Andy Murray Court docket on the historic grass of Queen’s Membership at this time.
It was Raducanu’s first win since she defeated qualifier Anastasia Zakharova in her Indian Wells opener final March. Raducanu gained 25 of 31 factors within the first set, stamping three shutout video games in dishing the opening bagel.
“I really feel like I began extraordinarily nicely, and I believe regardless of not having performed a number of matches, I used to be actually happy with how I got here out and was enjoying very free,” Raducanu stated. “I believe I used to be simply feeding off of the ambiance, and it felt free, it felt clear, and a number of readability.
“Not essentially considering an excessive amount of, not attempting to do an excessive amount of. It felt very pure.”
British ladies discovered their consolation zone on house soil.
British wild card Katie Boulter edged 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 in her opener.
The 42-ranked Raducanu stated expressing herself, each throughout and between factors, was a vital factor of her successful grass return at this time.
“I believe it was a very good steppingstone, and I believe the way in which I used to be feeling on the court docket, the way in which I used to be shifting, the way in which I used to be expressing myself, simply the entire package deal, not essentially the tennis, simply how I form of was performing on the court docket, I actually loved it,” Raducanu stated. “I believe that’s one thing that I wish to take ahead in all of my matches and actually embrace this grass court docket season.”
Final month, Raducanu, who adjustments coaches practically as usually as some gamers change sneakers, introduced she has reunited with coach Andrew Richardson, the person who coached her to the 2021 US Open championship. At the moment, Raducanu stated she’s happy together with her progress working with Richardson.
“Yeah, we have now been working day in, day trip, since I began coaching once more, and even all through the clay season we have now been working and placing good shifts in every day,” Raducanu stated. “You don’t know when it’s going to repay. I believe it’s work that’s compounded over the previous few weeks.
“In fact there may be much more work to do, however I believe I’m actually simply attempting to benefit from the course of, regardless of the outcomes, preserve displaying up every day with the very best perspective and the very best dedication I can.”
