Emma Raducanu to face young British wild card in Wimbledon opener
The former US Open champion reached the fourth round last year but faces an uphill battle to do so again, with top seed Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova both in her section.
It was a tough draw for the British players overall, with Katie Boulter – unseeded this year – taking on top-10 star Paula Badosa, while British number three Sonay Kartal faces 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Sixteen-year-olds Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic also drew seeds, with the former facing former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and Stojsavljevic meeting Ashlyn Krueger.
The bottom quarter could throw up some big-hitting contests in the second week with Iga Swiatek potentially facing a fourth-round clash against former champion Elena Rybakina and a quarter-final with second seed Coco Gauff having dropped to eighth in the rankings.
Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, meanwhile, will take on exciting Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala in the opening round, provided the Czech recovers from a leg injury in time.
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BBC News
32 minutes ago
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In-form Fritz reaches fourth Eastbourne final
World number five Taylor Fritz continued his fine form in the run-up to Wimbledon by reaching his fourth Eastbourne final with a battling defending champion defeated Spanish world number 28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 3-6 6-1 to set up a final with fellow American Jenson Brooksby on Saturday.A lucky loser, Brooksby is on a fairytale run at Eastbourne having lost in the second round of world number 149 came from a set down to defeat French fourth seed Ugo Humbert 6-3 3-6 7-5 earlier on who beat world number three Alexander Zverev in the Stuttgart Open final 12 days ago, is among the favourites for the Wimbledon title.A quarter-finalist last year, he will start his Wimbledon campaign against French world number 36 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Monday. In recent years, Fritz has made the Eastbourne men's singles title his own, winning three of the past five Thursday, he won two matches in one day after bad light had postponed his second-round tie the day before."I always feel like things are going to work out for me because they always do for some reason here," said Fritz in his on-court interview."Just showing up here and being on site and playing on centre court. I do that have that bit of confidence." Britons Cash and Glasspool crowned doubles champion Elsewhere at Eastbourne, British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool won the men's doubles title by defeating Uruguayan-Belgian duo Ariel Behar and Joran Vliegen 6-4 7-6 (7-5).It is the pair's fifth title since they partnered up in October, 2024 and comes just five days after they lifted a historic Queen's doubles crown also reached the final of the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships earlier this month in the and Glasspool are seeded fifth at Wimbledon and have been drawn against Dutch duo Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round.
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
From hunky Jack Draper to Emma Raducanu – the who-to-watch guide for Brit Wimbledon hotshots hoping to win big at SW19
TENNIS fans will hope Jack is nimble – and quick – as our latest Wimbledon hope takes to the court. World No4 Jack Draper, 23, whose looks have won him a Burberry modelling deal, has a serious shot at the title. On the ladies' side, former US Open champ Emma Raducanu, 22, hopes to go deep after a recent return to form. There are 23 Brits in the singles – 13 men and ten women – which is the most since 1984. Mike Ridley serves up a selection of them before the action starts at SW19 on Monday. Hannah Klugman, 16 - GB No17, world No577 STAR-in-the-making Hannah will feel right at home – as her family live in Wimbledon village in South West London, not far from the All England club. The youngest of four sisters, she excelled at all sports and only plumped for tennis after the Covid pandemic. 17 At 14, Hannah gave up going to school and did her GCSE studies online. Earlier this month, that decision already looked to have been a good one as she became a junior Grand Slam runner-up at the French Open. She was the first Briton to make the final in Paris since Michele Tyler in 1976 and experts are now marking her out for big things – and she already has experience of a grand stage. Sun tennis writer Rob Maul says: 'There are three British female teens in the draw [also Mika Stojsavljevic, 16, and Mimi Xu, 17]. She is already impressive, and she is part of the future for Wimbledon.' British world No719 qualifies for Wimbledon but is BANNED from claiming £66,000 prize money Katie Boulter, 28 - GB No2, world No41 LEICESTER CITY fan Katie Boulter has never got as far as the second week of a grand slam tournament – despite being Britain's No2. On her day, statuesque Katie can upset the form book but experts reckon she is perhaps a little too inconsistent to be among the game's elite. 17 She is engaged to Aussie world No11 Alex de Minaur after dating him for about three years. The couple have date nights during tournaments, which they post about on social media. Alex, 26, was born in Sydney then trained for years in Spain. But while Alex was unsure whether to play for Spain or Australia at the Olympics, before choosing the former, Katie was famously pictured in 2018 cheering on England's World Cup footballers. Katie, who has suffered many injuries over the years, including a stress fracture of the back, is very close to her grandparents who live in the East Midlands where she grew up. She also appreciates going out with a man who understands the pressures of the game. Emma Raducanu, 22 - GB No1, world No38 ONE of the most scrutinized female athletes in world sport and one of the most famous. As Britain's No1, the whole country will be rooting for her during the championships. 17 And amid rumour of a romance with Spanish world No2 Carlos Alcaraz – who at 22 has won five grand slams including two Wimbledons – he will surely be keeping an eye on her matches. Will former US Open winner Emma rediscover that old magic, on the back of promising recent results? Or will she be affected by news that the stalker who reduced her to tears in Dubai in February tried to get tickets for this year's Wimbledon, only to be red-flagged and denied. She will be grateful organisers had beefed up security but all eyes will be on her game. If she can overcome those worries and avoid injury, Emma could go a long way. Whatever happens, there will be plenty of drama. Jodie Burrage, 26 - GB No7, world No164 SHE missed Wimbledon last year through injury, so hopes her luck will change. But judging by a bizarre event that happened at the pre-Wimbledon tournament in Eastbourne this week, she might wonder. 17 17 BBC commentator Annabel Croft could not believe her eyes when Jodie's opponent in the last 16, reigning Wimbledon ladies champ Barbora Krejcikova, fired a shot through a hole in the net. Krejcikova generously conceded the point but the Czech ace went on to win the match. Surrey smasher Jodie is dating Scots rugby international Ben White, who plays scrum half for French club Toulon. At last month's French Open, Jodie said uncertainty over whether Ben, 27, would be picked for the British Lions squad to tour Australia this summer was affecting her form on the court. In the end, Ben was not selected – so expect to see him at Wimbledon cheering on Jodie. Jack Draper, 23 - GB No1, world No4 ONE of the most eligible men in tennis, young free and single Jack is a Burberry model with an equally fine-looking tennis game. Now at a career-high world No4, he is hotly tipped to win Wimbledon, if not this year then soon. 17 17 He would be the first English champ since Fred Perry in 1936 – and looks the heir apparent to Scots sensation Sir Andy Murray, who twice claimed the spoils at SW19 before retiring. After winning the Indian Wells tournament in California earlier this year, and making the semi-finals of the US Open in 2024, big-serving leftie Jack is the real deal at just 23. The Man United fan, who grew up in Ashtead, Surrey, and started out at Sutton Tennis and Squash Club, also stands out for his chiselled looks. He set hearts fluttering when pictured recently jumping topless from a boat with model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in an ad for Burberry swimwear. But he has no love match at the moment and is just pals with Rosie, and her Hollywood star other half Jason Statham. He says: 'I'm always on the road, always playing, always training. It's tough to sustain any relationship.' Having banked nearly £6million in prize money, and plenty more from endorsements and modelling work, he is dream boyfriend material for whoever should get so lucky. But for now, his No1 fan at Wimbledon will be mum Nicky, a former junior tennis starlet. His dad Roger, meanwhile, is an ex-boss of the Lawn Tennis Association, the sport's UK governing body, so was tasked with finding the country's next Wimbledon champ. Sun tennis correspondent Rob Maul says: 'Remarkably, he didn't have to look far!' Henry Searle, 19 - GB No119, world No409 THE teen wildcard from Wolverhampton may have a lowly world ranking – but he already has some serious form on the lawns of Wimbledon. It is only two years ago that 6ft 4in Henry became the first Brit to win the boys title, since football legend Stanley Matthews' son. 17 Since Stanley Matthews Jnr picked up the trophy in 1962, it has been won by a host of kids who went on to become tennis greats including Bjorn Borg and Ivan Lendl. The left-hander is the son of cricketer Harvey Trump, an off-spin bowler who played for Somerset between 1988 and 1997, and his first wife Emma. Henry has a huge following of fans and friends who join him at matches, wear identical T-shirts and making a lot of noise supporting his every shot. Sun man courtside Rob Maul says: 'Henry is quite a shy lad who doesn't say a lot but he has what it takes to be a real star of the future.' Jacob Fearnley, 23 - GB No2, world No51 HOTSHOT Jacob is drawing comparisons with a famous fellow Scot, two-time Wimbledon champ Sir Andy Murray, and recent results show the new pretender may just fit the bill. He has had a meteoric rise to No51 in the world rankings, from a lowly 664 at the start of the year, and it seems the only way is up. 17 17 The powerfully built big-hitter was born and brought up in Edinburgh where mum Sam, who worked for the NHS, taught him to play tennis from the age of three. But Jacob looks like an American – wears his baseball cap backward and speaks with slight Texan drawl. That's because he came through the US college ranks rather than a tennis academy. He spent five years at the Texas Christian University where fellow Brit Cameron Norrie also built his game, and it is where he met his stunning US girlfriend, beach volleyball star Keagan Polk. At the Australian Open earlier this year, she cheered him on to a win against Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios in the first round. She was also in Jacob's box at Wimbledon last year when he took a set off the greatest player of all time, Serb superstar Novak Djokovic. But he has his work cut out in his first match at Wimbledon – up against much-hyped Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca. Dan Evans, 35 - GB No5, world No170 LIKE seven-time Wimbledon champ Novak Djokovic, who comes into this year's tournament aged 38 and world-ranked six, our Dan is in the twilight of his career. Aged 35, he may not have too many more SW19 appearances in him, so catch him now. 17 17 The former Brit No1 has slipped to world No170 from a high of 21 just two years ago and only got into this year's draw with a wildcard – but a recent run of form suggests a thrilling last hurrah could just be possible. One of the most working-class players on the circuit, Brummie electrician's son Dan spent a year off the tour after testing positive for cocaine in 2017 but stormed back with a vengeance and is a reformed man. He did Team GB proud last year at the Paris Olympics as he made the doubles quarter-finals with Sir Andy Murray – in the former world No1's emotional farewell to the game. Dan is now is giving his all to his time left on court and delighting fans with his mischievous game of crafty spins. Based in Dubai nowadays, he will be cheered at Wimbledon by wife Aleah as he starts against fellow Brit Jay Clarke, 26, who is GB No7 and world No199. Dan and Aleah plan to have kids once he hangs up his racquet – and he has banked more than £6million in prize money alone so will have plenty of cash for family holidays. The single-handicap golfer will also have time for honing his swing, and following his beloved Aston Villa. OTHER HOME ACES TO SEE FROM talented teens to a most unlikely 11th-hour men's qualifier, here are some other British players to watch . . . 17 TIPPED for big things, Welsh wildcard Mingge 'Mimi' Xu is only 17 and already British No10. Born to Chinese parents who met at Swansea University, she is world No318 and has a big ask in round one . . . against Emma Raducanu. 17 HE is the world's 719th best player and No33 in Britain – but Oliver Tarvet, from St Albans, battled through qualifying this week into the main draw. If he wins his first match, against a fellow qualifier, Oliver, 21, could face reigning champ Carlos Alcaraz. WILDCARD Mika Stojsavljevic, 16, is a big server with a style like her childhood idol Maria Sharapova. Born in West London to a Serb dad and Polish mum, the 6ft belter made headlines in junior circles by winning last year's US Open girls' title.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Jay Clarke admits PTPA lawsuit was ‘much bigger than I anticipated'
Jay Clarke admitted he did not know what he was getting himself into when he put his name to a lawsuit against tennis' governing bodies. The 26-year-old was the only British player named as a plaintiff in the explosive case, which has pitted the Professional Tennis Players Association, a body co-founded by Novak Djokovic, against organisations including the ATP and WTA. The PTPA branded the governing bodies as a cartel, with Wimbledon and the other grand slams named as co-conspirators. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀. Today, the PTPA and over a dozen players, on behalf of the entire professional population, filed a sweeping series of legal actions against the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA to reform professional tennis. — Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) March 18, 2025 Djokovic notably was not named as a plaintiff and quickly sought to distance himself from some of the aspects of the case, and Clarke subsequently decided to take his name off the lawsuit. He also reached out to Wimbledon to clarify his position, and Clarke's role in the case did not prevent him being awarded a wild card for a fifth time. 'I love being here,' he said. 'I've played Wimbledon a number of times, trying to be a member here and stuff like that as well. I know a lot of the people inside. 'I don't think it's necessarily a big thing. I just needed to kind of say where I stood on it. I just think it was much bigger than I anticipated initially.' On the strong language used in the lawsuit, which accuses the governing bodies of systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare, Clarke added: '(It was) very surprising, to be honest. I think everyone was surprised by that. 'I think it kind of caught us all off guard. Obviously, we're tennis players, we're not lawyers, so it's just not something that I was comfortable doing.' Clarke does, though, support a lot of the PTPA's demands, including a better distribution of wealth and a greater focus on player welfare. The Derby player, who is ranked 199th, underwent wrist surgery in 2023 and he said: 'I played four Challengers in India, obviously coming back from wrist surgery, four weeks in a row in the same country and we're using different balls every week. And it's just these things need to be better. I think it's a really simple fix. 'I'm not alone. I think all tennis players want tennis to improve, want it to push forwards. I don't think someone on my ranking should be watching pennies trying to figure out which flight is cheaper, and stuff like that. 'I did nine weeks in India. It's a lot of travel. I had a coach with me every week. After paying flights and stuff, I was £3,000 pounds down. And the second half of the trip I won 18 matches and lost two. So it is really tough. 'I think tennis is a big enough sport, and it generates enough revenue, for more than 100 people to be benefiting from the sport. I think a lot of the other sports, they have a better revenue split and tennis is too far behind in that.' This week will certainly help Clarke's finances. A Wimbledon wild card comes with guaranteed prize money of £66,000, and that would increase to £99,000 if he can get the better of fellow British wild card Dan Evans in the first round and set up a likely meeting with Djokovic.
