By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Emma Raducanu spoke about ‘winning ugly’ after a straight sets win over lucky loser Renata Zarazua
- Stan Wawrinka revealed his secret to longevity after defeating British wildcard Charles Broom
- There was also interesting insight from Madison Keys, Grigor Dimitrov and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz
LONDON, ENGLAND – Emma Raducanu spoke about ‘winning ugly’ on her Centre Court return while Stan Wawrinka reveals the secret to a long career on day one of Wimbledon.
 |
Raducanu reveals emotions after ‘winning ugly’ in Wimbledon return
Our day one talking points can only start with one person and that is the former US Open champion Emma Raducanu who made her Wimbledon return.
The Brit was expecting to play 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova but hours before the match Alexandrova withdrew due to illness.
That meant Raducanu had to play Mexican lucky loser Renata Zarazua who became the first from her country to play on Centre Court in the open era.
It was a testing match for Raducanu who had to overcome the slice and drop shots of Zarazua but ultimately the Brit prevailed 7-6(0) 6-3 to reach the second round.
Speaking after the match Raducanu spoke about what it was like to return to Centre Court after missing out on last year’s tournament.
“I think the feeling of walking onto Centre Court especially, it’s powerful,” Raducanu explained in her press conference.
“It’s like that moment where you say bye to your team and everyone and you go and you’re on your own. You feel like you’re completely alone. I think it’s something that you need to take in your stride. I don’t know one person who is probably playing their first round feeling unbelievable about themselves, not nervous at all.
“I think nerves are normal. It’s just how you use them and how you kind of channel that. I think today, yeah, it was noticeable in the first set I felt nervous. Especially against that type of opponent who is fighting incredibly hard, who has zero to lose, coming in as a lucky loser on Centre Court, it’s pretty special to have.
“I think that I dealt with it really well, to be honest. She just made some incredible gets, like really, really good defense. Yeah, I wish her luck in the rest of the season.”
It was a spirited performance from Zarazua who played the match on late notice and caused Raducanu all sorts of problems.
Although the former Grand Slam champion admitted it was a tricky situation, Raducanu made no excuses and was relieved to be ‘winning ugly.’
“Yeah, it’s really difficult. I think with the notice, it was only a few hours really. When you’ve prepped since the draw came out to play one person, then it’s a complete different style of player, as well, you’ve worked on things specific,” Raducanu stated.
“But I think it’s all about just competing at the end of the day. I think mental, when it’s such short notice, you just have to keep your head together and just, yeah, stay calm, try not to let the external circumstances throw you too much. But it is difficult. I think you’re just a little more on edge. I think I managed to deal with it really well today.
“I think in a way it was a little bit to do with my performance. I don’t think it was perfect tennis. It wasn’t clean, beautiful ball striking. It was just about managing the opponent and managing the fight and the circumstances.
“I think, yeah, it’s that classic tennis book ‘Winning Ugly’. I think it’s just so true. Especially in the opening round of a slam where there’s so much nerves that go through it, I would say to get through is just really big and important. I think it was a real show of character for me.”
It’s that sort of character that will take Raducanu far as she will hope for a big run at Wimbledon this year.
Next up for Raducanu will be Elise Mertens on Wednesday as she aims to reach the third round at Wimbledon for the second time in her career.
 |
Wawrinka reveals secret to longevity
Next we’re going from one former Grand Slam champion to another as Stan Wawrinka is into the second round of Wimbledon.
However it was far from easy for Wawrinka who had to come from 5-2 down in the second set to defeat British wildcard Charles Broom.
In the end experience showed as Wawrinka has a blockbuster second round clash against Gael Monfils to look forward to.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has been involved in 20 years of success as his career nears its conclusion.
Speaking about his secret to longevity, Wawrinka revealed it’s about enjoying the pressure that comes with the sport.
“The pressure of the sport. I still enjoy what I’m doing,” Wawrinka analysed in his press conference.
“I love playing tennis. I love having the chance to play in the biggest tournaments in the world. Of course, I didn’t have the best result this year. But as much as I enjoy what I’m doing, I think there is enough reason to keep playing. I don’t want to go home.
“Playing tennis was a dream when I was young. Being a professional athlete was a dream. Now I’m there, there’s no way I’m going to just stop because I am bored of it. I love what I’m doing. I’m passionate about the sport. I want to keep pushing myself as much as I can and see where I can go.”
The Swiss has been an exceptional role model for the sport as he edges towards the end of his career.
Wawrinka is in a similar phase to Andy Murray and after his match, the Swiss spoke about Murray the competitor and Murray the person.
“It’s the same. It’s been more than 20 years. Of course, there’s many. Won against him was here, was the first time with the roof closed. Was something special to play here against him at home,” Wawrinka recalled.
“He’s been amazing champion, of course. He push everybody. He won everything in the sport that you can win. He’s been No. 1. He’s been an example for many players. Yeah, he’s great guy. Good friends. As I say, we arrive a little bit in the same times. It’s been more than 20 years.
“We spent so many times together. On the court, in practice court, we practice tons of times together. We always had a good relationship.”
Keys and Dimitrov speak about love for grass court season
Next up Madison Keys and Grigor Dimitrov were both successful as they won their opening round matches in straight sets.
Starting with Keys, the American defeated Martina Trevisan on Court One to reach the second round and after the match spoke about her desire to see a Masters event on grass in the future.
“If there were more weeks in the year without losing offseason weeks, yes, I would love to see a longer grass court season. I would love to see a Masters on grass,” Keys said in her press conference.
“I think it’s always one of my favourite times of the year, and I’ve always loved this season. I feel like with everything else getting longer, it seems like grass season is getting shorter and shorter. I would be the first to vote to make other seasons shorter so that grass could be longer.”
Meanwhile, Dimitrov overcame a tough match against Dusan Lajovic to reach the second round and spoke about the keys to doing well on this surface.
“I think for me, one of the most important things is to make sure that my body’s ready physically,” Dimitrov said.
“We definitely change a little bit of the fitness preparation. We’re trying to load up the legs a little bit more for a shorter period of time, but you stay a little bit more lower. This is something that we try to really I think adjust, then adapt everything that you’ve built in the next six, seven days after those first days of kind of going behind, then you try to do a lot of explosive movements, again trying to stay low, try to use small steps to adjust.
“This is the, I would say, one of the few important things that I’ve done over the years over and over again because, I mean, I cannot emphasize enough on the fact that you really need to protect your body from potential slip on the court. Sometimes your foot gets stuck on the grass. This year actually the grass is fairly sticky. Fast but sticky. That’s a very interesting combination.
“At times you cannot really, like, give in with your leg. You have to be even more firmer on the grass. I think it really depends on how your movement is. That’s why I think you have a good team that surrounds you, and you try to find the best possible way to prepare.”
Alcaraz begins title defence with victory
The final word will go to the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz as he overcame qualifier Mark Lajal on Centre Court.
After the match the Spaniard spoke about his playing style as he began his title defence successfully.
“Well, I’m enjoying every time that I play on grass. Even last year or 2022, I always enjoy playing here. I think it’s a surface that I can put my style,” Alcaraz declared.
“I love this game on grass, hitting good shots, playing on grass, trying to go to the net all the time. I love and I enjoy playing this style, this game.
“For me, yeah, well, I did a great tournament, achieved great things here on grass. As you said, I didn’t play too many matches. But every time that I walk on the court, I enjoy my game here on grass.”
How to Watch/Follow Wimbledon 2024
| TV | Across BBC Channels & Red Button |
| Live Stream | BBC Sport |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE |
 Sign up to PBLC for free to support ongoing contributions from Britwatch Sports |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |