Wimbledon run has 'fuelled the fire' - Raducanu

Britain's Emma Raducanu says an encouraging Wimbledon tally has "fuelled nan fire" to proceed her upward trajectory complete nan remainder of nan season.

Raducanu, 21, was beaten 6-2 5-7 6-2 by New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun successful nan 4th information connected Sunday.

It was a disappointing exit aft a bid of ascendant performances had heightened excitement astatine nan All England Club.

But, having reached nan 4th information of a awesome for nan first clip since winning nan 2021 US Open, Raducanu reflected positively connected nan past week.

"I consciousness bully astir things going forwards. I consciousness optimistic," said Raducanu, who is group to move backmost wrong nan world's apical 100 adjacent week.

"As bitter arsenic it is to take, I deliberation [this defeat] happened for a reason.

"You don't want things to hap excessively easy and excessively quickly. I had that before. I don't needfully want conscionable a monolithic spike."

Raducanu, who was fixed a wildcard for nan All England Club, was outplayed for overmuch of a fascinating contest.

Having won six matches successful a statement connected nan SW19 grass, Sun oozed assurance and deed a flurry of winners.

Raducanu wrestled backmost momentum by winning nan 2nd group but mislaid service early successful nan decider soon aft needing curen pursuing a fall.

The opening crippled of nan 3rd group was stopped and she received curen - connected her limb and backmost - while laid retired connected nan court.

Having missed past year's Wimbledon aft having operations connected some wrists and her ankle, she added: "Six months agone erstwhile I was starting retired aft surgery, I would person signed for nan 4th information astatine Wimbledon.

"Of people I'm disappointed. Of people I want more.

"It fuels nan occurrence and makes maine much hungry."

Raducanu's conclusion came a time aft she pulled retired of a planned mixed doubles quality alongside chap Briton Andy Murray, citing "stiffness" successful her correct wrist.

Even though it was a sensible precaution - she had needed room connected nan aforesaid wrist past twelvemonth - nan move led to immoderate criticism, fixed it denied Murray nan chance to play again successful his Wimbledon farewell.

Raducanu said it was a "tough" decision, adding she still stood by "making nan correct call".

"With each decision, group are entitled to their opinions. Of course, location was a spot of a unreality astir nan decision," she said.

"I don't deliberation I would person done it immoderate different way.

"I deliberation successful this sport, particularly arsenic an individual, you person to make your ain calls and prioritise yourself.

"Especially pinch my history, I conscionable had to put myself first."

Ashleigh Barty, Australian erstwhile world number 1 and 2019 Wimbledon champion, connected BBC TV

I deliberation this is simply a beautiful instauration for Emma to build from.

Her profession has been backmost to beforehand successful a way. She flipped nan book and went correct to nan top, won a Grand Slam.

This is her chance to usage her acquisition but it's besides a restart.

You person to beryllium accountable for your ain actions and understand location are consequences and she's comfortable pinch that.

I deliberation she has a amended life equilibrium now and she's enjoying her tennis.

She's fresh and patient and building immoderate continuity.