Former British number one Emma Raducanu, who is 21 years old, has received a wildcard to compete at Wimbledon next month. She is among four Grand Slam champions who have been granted this special exemption for the women’s singles event. The other three champions who have also been invited to play are Japan’s Naomi Osaka, Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, and Germany’s Angelique Kerber, who clinched the Wimbledon title in 2018.
Wildcards are typically given by the All England Club to players who do not have a high enough ranking to enter the main draw directly. Raducanu is still in the process of making a comeback after being sidelined for most of last year, which included missing Wimbledon, due to wrist and ankle surgeries. On the other hand, Osaka, Kerber, and Wozniacki have all made their return to the tour within the past year after taking time off to give birth.
In addition to the aforementioned players, British representatives Heather Watson, Fran Jones, and Lily Miyazaki have also been awarded wildcards for the women’s singles competition. On the men’s side, all seven initial wildcards have been handed out to British players. Liam Broady, who has made it to the third round in each of the last two years, leads this list of recipients.
Last year’s boys’ champion Henry Searle and Billy Harris, who recently achieved a significant victory at Queen’s, have also received wildcards. The remaining spots have been given to Jan Choinski, Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery, and Paul Jubb. The announcement of these wildcards was made by Wimbledon on Wednesday, with the prestigious Grand Slam tournament set to kick off on 1 July.
The allocation of wildcards showcases the diversity of talent that will be on display at Wimbledon this year. With a mix of seasoned champions, up-and-coming stars, and local favorites, the stage is set for an exciting and competitive tournament. Tennis fans can look forward to witnessing thrilling matches and memorable moments as the action unfolds on the grass courts of the All England Club. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage as we countdown to the start of Wimbledon 2024.