LONDON — Emma Raducanu will face British teenage wildcard Mimi Xu in an all-British first-round clash at Wimbledon, while fellow Brit Jack Draper has been handed a tough draw against Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer. The draw, announced on Friday, sets the stage for an exciting start to the Championships, with Raducanu’s return to SW19 drawing significant attention.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been working her way back from multiple surgeries and will be making her first Wimbledon appearance since 2022. Her opponent, 16-year-old Xu, is one of Britain’s most promising juniors and earned her wildcard after strong performances on the ITF circuit. "It’s going to be a special moment for both of us," Raducanu said of the matchup.
Raducanu’s Road to Recovery
Since her historic US Open triumph, Raducanu has faced a series of injury setbacks, including wrist and ankle surgeries that sidelined her for much of 2023. Her return to grass this season has been cautious but promising, with a quarterfinal run in Nottingham and a competitive showing at Eastbourne. "I’m just happy to be back playing pain-free," she told reporters earlier this week.
Xu, meanwhile, has been making waves in junior tennis, winning the prestigious Orange Bowl in 2023 and reaching the semifinals of the Junior French Open this year. The left-hander is known for her aggressive baseline game and fearless attitude. "Playing Emma at Wimbledon is a dream come true," Xu said after the draw.
Draper’s Tough Opener
Jack Draper, Britain’s highest-ranked male player at No. 28, faces a tricky first-round test against Elias Ymer, a seasoned qualifier who has previously reached the third round at Wimbledon. Draper, who won his first ATP title in Stuttgart earlier this month, will need to be at his best to navigate the early rounds.
Key factors in Draper’s favor include:
- His recent form on grass, including wins over top-20 players
- Ymer’s lack of match sharpness after coming through qualifying
- The home crowd support on Court 1 or Centre Court
Other British Hopes
Elsewhere in the draw, Katie Boulter, the British No. 1, will face former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in a tough opener. Pliskova, a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, remains dangerous on grass despite her recent ranking slide. "It’s a challenge, but I’m ready for it," Boulter said.
Other notable British players in action include:
- Harriet Dart vs. Zhuoxuan Bai (CHN)
- Dan Evans vs. Alejandro Tabilo (CHI)
- Cameron Norrie vs. Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG)
Tournament Outlook
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz opens against Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal, while women’s top seed Iga Swiatek faces Sofia Kenin in a rematch of the 2020 French Open final. Novak Djokovic, recovering from knee surgery, will test his fitness against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva.
The Raducanu-Xu match is scheduled for Monday or Tuesday on one of the show courts, with the All England Club likely to capitalize on the home interest. "It’s fantastic to see two British players going head-to-head early on," said tournament director Jamie Baker.
Conclusion
With Raducanu’s comeback story, Draper’s rising profile, and a host of other British players in action, Wimbledon 2024 promises to be a thrilling fortnight for home fans. The Raducanu-Xu clash, in particular, could be one of the standout matches of the first round, blending youth, talent, and national pride on tennis’s biggest stage.