Emma Raducanu has won her first match on a grass court at the Queen’s Club and she admitted she was filled with nerves before taking to Court No 1 at the iconic London venue.
Raducanu teamed up with British No 1 Katie Boulter to seal a a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Wu Fang-Hsien and Jiang Xinyu.
The 2021 US Open champion is not a doubles expert and has only played in the format on one previous occasion when she partnered Clara Tauson in round one of the 2022 Washington Open.
Many fans at Queen’s club emptied out of Centre Court singles action to watch Raducanu and she made an honest confession as she spoke to the media.
“I was actually very nervous before the match,” said Raducanu “I don’t know if Katie could tell. Probably more nervous than the singles, because I just didn’t really necessarily know what to do, but I’m really happy once we got out there. Katie made me feel so comfortable, and I’m just so pleased to get a win on the board.”
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When asked how the decision was made to play doubles at Queen’s the top two women in British tennis suggested they have come close to entering events in recent months and finally decided to take the plunge.
“It kind of came spontaneously, like all things do with us, but it went pretty well,” continued Raducanu.
“We’re just going to keep trying to do as best as we can this week and take it from there.
“I think on the grass, it’s a very quick change to grass from clay, and it’s a very different surface. So I think it helps us to try and get a feel for serving, returning, and playing some live points.
“We are playing Billie Jean King Cup, and we want to put ourselves in the best position possible. So for us, as well, to kind of get some matches on the court together is just good preparation for that, too.”
The cheers wer echoing around the main show court at Queen’s as the match point was won by Raducanu and Boulter, with the tight surrounds of the second show court at the WTA 500 tournament appealing to Raducanu.
“I think sometimes on the smaller courts you get a bigger feel for the match and the atmosphere and the environment because it’s a lot closer, more intimate, and you hear the support more,” she said.
“For me, I love playing on those smaller, outside courts where you really feel the support and the crowd gets into it. I was filling my bottle up, and I was literally having a chat in the stands, because that’s how close it is. But I think it puts a really nice feel to it.”
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