Emma Raducanu issues plea to British crowd after causing a stir

Emma Raducanu never got to compete with Andy Murray and that disappointment, which effectively ended the legendary Scot’s Wimbledon career, and left British tennis fans up in arms. Two years on, the 2021 US Open champion is pleading for support as she looks to turn her season around.

Fittingly, that exchange took place on Andy Murray Arena at Queen’s Club, where the main stadium is named after the five-time champion. Raducanu had just finished practising with Amanda Anisimova, a runner-up in both west London and Wimbledon last year, before attention turned to those who came out to show their support.

“It’s so nice to be back on the grass, I love this tournament had a great experience last year,” Raducanu said after being handed the microphone on court. “I was just pleased to be able to hit on it and play this week.

“I remember watching the tournament when I was young, I came with my dad, it’s very nostalgic coming back and playing it myself. I remember how many times I watched Andy [Murray] win here so it’s really nice to be able to have a tournament for the girls too.”

Queen’s, one of the highlights of a short grass and British swing, is clearly a favourite of Raducanu.

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She and compatriot Katie Boulter will play doubles again together this week, having been dubbed ‘Boultercanu’ by those in attendance 12 months ago.

Conversation soon turned to the British audiences both on this day and for weeks to come, which Raducanu has seen the best and worst of since she catapulted into stardom at Flushing Meadows.

When asked whether she wants a ‘noisier’ British crowd or for them to let her ‘get on with it’, Raducanu replied: “Of course we love the support, it gets us going, it’s an amazing feeling to be part of and to be playing on home soil, it’s nice. I really hope that you can support us in the next few weeks.”

The host then rallied the crowd: “You heard her, she wants to hear the noise, give it up for Emma Raducanu!”

Her joy was palpable as the Brits in attendance roared her on, a tune Raducanu will hope to hear many times over the next few weeks.