Raducanu would be ‘over the moon’ with Centre Court victory after missing Wimbledon last year

By The Associated Press

Britain's Emma Raducanu on the practice court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, Saturday June 29, 2024. The Wimbledon Championships begin on July 1. (John Walton/PA via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/John Walton]

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Emma Raducanu will be back on Centre Court at Wimbledon when the Grand Slam starts Monday. She’ll be the hometown favorite against the No. 22 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova a year after she missed the major while recovering from ankle and wrist surgeries. Raducanu’s grass-court season has included the first victory of her career against a top-10 opponent, beating No. 5 Jessica Pegula at the Eastbourne International. The 2021 U.S. Open Champion says, “If I get through my first round, I’d be over the moon.” British fans have higher expectations, though.