Emma Raducanu has been handed a tough draw at Queen’s Club, where she could face reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in just the second round
Emma Raducanu could be up against reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova early on at Queen’s Club, after being handed a challenging draw. The prestigious event boasts a thrilling lineup of big names ahead of Wimbledon.
Raducanu is among the star names in the draw and will be aiming for a strong campaign after an early departure at the French Open. A deep run at Queen’s would no doubt bolster her confidence leading into Wimbledon, where she had her breakthrough four years ago. However, getting past the second round could prove difficult.
The draw, conducted on Saturday afternoon, has paired the young Brit with a qualifier in the opening round. If she progresses, she could face a stern test against Krejcikova in the second round.
Raducanu is unseeded at Queen’s, having accepted a wildcard to compete alongside Jodie Burrage, Francesca Jones and Sonay Kartal. Qinwen Zheng, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro and Elena Rybakina have all received byes as the top four seeds, meaning they won’t see action until the second round.
Katie Boulter is also competing and will face a qualifier in her opening match. If she advances to the second round, she will play either Diana Schnaider or Magdalena Frech.
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The upcoming tournament is set to reward the champion with a hefty £121,000 prize purse and 500 ranking points. The runner-up won’t be left far behind, pocketing £74,643 and 325 ranking points, while those bowing out in the semi-finals will take home £43,608 and 195 ranking points.
Quarter-finalists can expect £21,206 and 108 ranking points for their efforts, second-round participants will secure £11,602 and 60 ranking points, and even first-round departures won’t leave empty-handed, with £8,351 and a single ranking point as consolation.
Raducanu, who has yet to grace the courts at Queen’s due to its long absence from the WTA calendar, is gearing up for a strong showing. But despite showing promising signs of progress this season, tennis legend John McEnroe suggests Raducanu still has strides to make.
Reflecting on her French Open exit, McEnroe remarked: “Finding the right team seems to be an ongoing issue. I don’t know why, I haven’t spoken to her. I’ve met her a couple of times in my entire life.”
He continued, expressing his support: “I certainly wish her the best. Anyone that’s won a Slam, you want to see them continue to compete at a high level. It boils down to sort of getting, to me, the right situation around you so that you can be eager to get yourself as healthy and fit as possible.
“You can then go compete at the level you want to consistently. That’s the key. I don’t know where she’s at there.”
