Emma Raducanu hoping to get her head right in time for Wimbledon
Raducanu almost pulled off an incredible comeback in her second-round match against Maya Joint before losing on a final-set tiebreak.
The 22-year-old revealed on Tuesday after her opening round win that she had received 'some pretty bad news' and that appeared to affect her against Joint as she looked subdued on court.
With her home grand slam around the corner, Raducanu says she needs to focus.
'Unfortunately I couldn't get over the line today but I can get some rest ahead of next week,' she told the BBC.
'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.
'Realistically, the turnaround is pretty soon – it's only four days away really that Wimbledon starts.
Emma Raducanu loses out to Maya Joint in an Eastbourne thriller
Onto @Wimbledon we go #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/PYUdzQaMMM
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 25, 2025
'I think I'm just going to start with (a day off) tomorrow and then hopefully I can get on the court on Friday.'
The British number one looked dead and buried in her second-round battle with the Australian, trailing 5-2 in the deciding set.
But she produced an inspired spell, breaking Joint three times when she was serving for the match, to set up a tie-break.
Victory was in sight when she got a mini-break to lead 4-3 but Joint reeled off four successive points to claim a 4-6 6-1 7-6 (4) victory and move into the quarter-finals.
Emma Raducanu was beaten in three sets (Adam Davy/PA)
Joint said: 'Today was really tough, there was a lot of ups and downs, I was happy I was able to tough it out at the end.
'I am really glad I was able to win this match.'
Jodie Burrage become the second Briton in two days to miss match points to oust former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Twenty-four hours after Harriet Dart spurned victory, Burrage, the British number seven, was 0-40 up on the Czech's serve at 6-5 in the deciding set, but she could not get over the line, with Krejcikova winning the tie-break.
Jodie Burrage failed to take match points (Adam Davy/PA)
In the men's draw, Dan Evans' recent upturn in form continued with a standout win over world number 13 Tommy Paul.
The 35-year-old is trying to find his way back to the top of the game after slumping down the ranking and results like this will help.
He ousted the number two seed 6-4 3-6 6-3 to set up a quarter-final tie with American Jenson Brooksby.
Lucky loser Billy Harris continued to take advantage of his reprieve, winning 6-3 6-4 against Mattia Bellucci, but British number two Jacob Fearnley is out, losing 6-3 6-1 to Marcos Giron.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘A funny feeling' – Sky Sports pundit ‘could play on British and Irish Lions Tour' after stepping back from TV duty
Lions head coach Andy Farrell has left the door open for his selection too FARR FROM OVER 'A funny feeling' – Sky Sports pundit 'could play on British and Irish Lions Tour' after stepping back from TV duty OWEN FARRELL could still play for the British and Irish Lions this summer despite starting the tour as a pundit on Sky Sports. That's according to former England teammate Danny Care, who has warned not to rule the 33-year-old out of contention. 5 Owen Farrell worked as a pundit for Sky Sports during the Lions' summer series opener against Argentina Credit: Sportsfile 5 Farrell's former England teammate Danny Care reckons the fly-half could still play for the Lions this summer Credit: PA Farrell, who was not selected in the Lions' initial 38-man travelling squad for Australia, worked as a pundit for Sky Sports during the Lions' summer series opener against Argentina last week. But the 112 time England cap has now stepped down from punditry for the remainder of the tour in a pre-planned move that keeps him available for selection in Australia should an slot open up. Farrell was snubbed by his father and Lions head coach Andy Farrell when the initial squad announcement was released last month, but there is still optimism that he could be called upon as a first reserve. Former teammate Care told the Mail Online that he has a "funny feeling" that Farrell might find a way to return to the Lions fold this summer. READ MORE SPORTS NEWS Balls up Hurdler suffers wardrobe malfunction as privates exposed - but he still wins He said: "It's quite a young and youthful Lions squad, especially in that backline. "There's not many lads, barring Finn Russell and a couple of others, who have played for the Lions before and experienced it. "I know Owen is the ultimate competitor and its brilliant to have him back in the Premiership, I just have a funny feeling that we might see him in a red shirt at some point this summer." Farrell represented the Lions on the 2013. 2017 and 2021 tours, racking up six test appearances. 5 Farrell has represented the Lions on three seperate tours Credit: Reuters 5 Farrell was snubbed for a place on the 2025 tour by head coach Andy Farrell, who is also his dad Credit: Alamy JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS While he has worked his way back into the spotlight, and England contention, after announcing his return to English rugby with Saracens. The fly-half had spent the last year in France with Racing 92, but struggled with injuries during his foray to the continent - playing just 17 times for the Top 14 outfit. Watch as Ireland coach Andy Farrell comes off injured with son Owen replacing him during their time as teammates During his period of ineligibility in France, Farrell was replaced as England fly-half by Fin Smith - with Marcus Smith and George Ford also battling for the position for the Red Rose. Both Marcus and Fin Smith have been selected in the Lions squad. Dad and head coach Andy hasn't ruled out a call-up for Owen either, keeping the door open for the experience number 10. He said last month: "There's 38 picked, which leaves a couple of slots open for us during the track if and when needed, and Owen, like a few other guys as well, would be in that type of bracket. "He was in the conversation, obviously, an experienced player like that who is going for his fourth tour. "You cover all bases, that's for sure, with the leadership qualities and all of that. "But we got to a point where, like a few other players as well, we feel that Owen's still trying to find his way a little bit back to fitness, like others.' Andy Farrell's team will continue their tour with a match against Western Force on Saturday, hoping to return a better result than their 28-24 defeat to Argentina in Dublin last week. The Lions' first test match with Australia is scheduled to take place on July 19.
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal debate solved with half grass, half clay match showing which Wimbledon legend was better
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. The exhibition almost didn't happen after an infestation of worms SPLIT DECISION Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal debate solved with half grass, half clay match showing which Wimbledon legend was better Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT was a question that defined a tennis generation - who is better, Roger or Rafa? Way back in 2007, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal went to extreme lengths to find out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Roger Federer (left) and Spain's Rafael Nadal went head-to-head in a bizarre match in 2007 Credit: Reuters 4 The pair played an exhibition game on a clay-grass court to discover who was best Credit: AP:Associated Press 4 But issues with the turf almost saw the match in Mallorca cancelled Credit: AFP The pair engaged in a bizarre experiment, pitting themselves against each other on a half-grass, half-clay court. Federer, then 26, entered the contest after winning five consecutive Wimbledon titles. He was undefeated on a grass court in FIVE years and had also won seven other Slams at the US and Australian Opens. Nadal was at that time the new kid on the block - but already the undoubted King of Clay. READ MORE ON TENNIS SMASHING TEAM BBC confirm Wimbledon broadcast team with no place for Nick Kyrgios The Spaniard hadn't lost a match on the surface in two years as the pair agreed to a mad-cap exhibition on two surfaces. Argentine Pablo del Campo was the man to come up with the concept. He had been inspired by baseball, where dirt and turf mix seamlessly into the game. Del Campo told the BBC's Sporting Witness podcast: "When the outfield meets the infield, the grass meets the dirt. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "Seeing that from above, I saw a hybrid tennis court. He added: "I think that the idea was irresistible for both Federer and Nadal." Rafael Nadal receives 'unforgettable' tribute at Roland Garros as 2025 French Open begins A venue was decided at the Palma Arena on Nadal's home island of Mallorca. Construction of the court took 19 days, with organisers racking up a total cost north of £1.3m. They also had to battle a worm infestation on the grass side of the court, resulting in it being relaid with turf from a GOLF green. Del Campo added: "We understood that was a mess, a big mess. "It was very, very stressful." The match was played over three sets infront of a sellout 7,000 crowd - and didn't disappoint. Wimbledon Ticket Options There are a range of ways to get into Wimbledon as one of the only major sporting events in the world that offer sought-after tickets on the day of the event... The Queue As one of the only major sporting events that allows guests to purchase tickets on the day of the event, demand is high. Each day a large queue forms of people wanting either a Grounds or Show Court ticket - with many even arriving the night before and camping to guarantee a place. Upon arrival, visitors are issued a Queue Card, which is numbered and dated and should be kept until a ticket has been purchased. While there is a limited number of entries, it is possible to remain in the queue and wait for people already inside to leave, with those tickets then becoming available. It is also possible to check the status of the queue on the Wimbledon website. This year, organisers are asking potential queuers to download the Wimbledon app and create a myWimbledon account. Show Tickets If you get to the front of the queue, then there are a limited number of tickets available for purchase for Centre Court and Courts 1, 2 and 3. Note that Centre Court tickets are available for the first 10 days of the tournament, the final four days were already pre-sold. Prices vary depending on the Court, seat and day of the event and will increase the further into the tournament you visit. For example, Centre Court rows A-T cost £105 on Day 1 and £315 on Day 14 (men's final). Grounds Pass A Grounds Pass costs £30 and allows visitors to watch matches on Courts 3-18 on unreserved seats, though there will also be a queue to get into Court 3. Ticket Resale From 3pm each day, tickets may become available from people who have left Wimbledon and made their seat available. A Grounds Pass is needed to join the virtual queue on the Wimbledon App. Tickets cost £15 for Centre Court or £10 for Courts 1/2. Hospitality There are a range of hospitality packages still available on the Wimbledon website. Hospitality packages offer guaranteed premium seating to major matches as well as fine dining experiences, complimentary drinks, a shuttle and concierge service. Hospitality packages can also be purchased via Seat Unique. Secondary Markets Sites such as StubHub offer tickets for the main courts for specific days and times. *Please note that StubHub and similar secondary ticket resale sites may list tickets above face value.* Nadal broke Federer's serve on both grass and clay to take the first set. But the Swiss superstar - a winner of 20 career Grand Slams - broke back to force a decider. Nadal would eventually take the third and deciding set following an epic 12-10 tie break. The Spanish superstar - who retired earlier last October with 14 French Open clay titles - admitted he thought the idea could be a "disaster". He said following the match: "It has been a nice experience. "Although before the match I thought it would be a disaster because I felt it would be very difficult for me to adapt to the court. "I have had a good time and that is important. "Both of us would like to repeat this experience because, although the match was not a real one, it allowed us to play for points without much tension and to play more relaxed." 4 Despite never playing again on the bizarre surface, it would be Nadal who would triumph in the pair's head-to-head battles. The pair met 40 times over the years, with Nadal winning 26, and Federer 14. Federer added: "I found the court to be excellent, especially the clay part. "The challenge was difficult, because you have many things in your head. "You have problems to work out about how you are going to play on either side of the court. "On the grass, I felt at the start that I was moving very well, although it took me a while longer to adapt to the clay."
Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
British Lions name new captain with wonderkid to start first match in Australia
The British and Irish Lions will be led by captain Dan Sheehan for their first match in Australia with Henry Pollock and Finn Russell starting against the Western Force Henry Pollock will get his first Lions start at No.8 in Saturday's game against Western Force in Perth with the Lions aiming to bounce back from defeat to Argentina. Pollock got half an hour off the bench in the 28-24 reverse to the Pumas in Dublin but gets a chance to stake a Test claim after being names ahead of Ireland's Jack Conan, who is on the bench. Irish hooker Dan Sheehan will captain the side, in the absence of rested tour skipper, with the starting XV showing 13 personnel changes and two positional switches. With Ireland's Hugo Keenan sidelined, England's Elliot Daly gets a huge chance to push his case for the series against the Wallabies as he starts at full-back. Scotland 's Sione Tuipulotu is shifted to inside centre and Ireland's Tadhg Beirne, another Dublin starter, moves to the back row from lock. Elsewhere Finn Russell links up with Wales Tomos Williams, impressive off the bench in Dublin, at half-back and there are Lions debuts for Sheehan, centre Garry Ringrose, wing James Lowe, lock Joe McCarthy and flanker Josh van der Flier. England duo prop Will Stuart and lock Ollie Chessum, Scotland centre Huw Jones and Irish prop Andrew Porter will make their first Lions appearance if they come off the bench. Force finished Super Rugby ninth of 11 with four wins and will be missing three players who are in Australia camp although six have been released back to the province by Aussie boss Joe Schmidt. Western Force head coach Simon Cron has named six Wallabies in the starting XV – prop Tom Robertson, lock Darcy Swain, back row Nick Champion de Crespigny, captain and scrum-half Nic White, wing Dylan Pietsch and full-back Ben Donaldson. They will link up with the Australian squad on Sunday after the game to prepare for the pre-series match against Fiji on 6 July. Former London Irish prop Ollie Hoskins starts for the hosts and ex-Leicester hooker, Nic Dolly, capped once by England is on the bench. But 95-cap Wallaby Kurtley Beale misses the game after injuring a hamstring in training in Tuesday so Donaldson starts at 15. Donaldson had not originally been released by Schmidt but flew back from Sydney to Perth to play in the match which is expected to attract 50,000 fans at Optus Stadium. Other Force players, lock Jeremy Williams, back row Carlo Tizzano and another ex-Tiger, winger Harry Potter have been kept in Wallaby camp. Western Force vs Lions teams Western Force: (capt); de Crespigny, Replacements: Lions: (capt), der Flier,
