Emma Raducanu feels sh is set for an “exciting match” versus Serena Williams as she admits she is “fortunate” to have a chance to play the 23-time Grand Slam champion ahead of her retirement.
Raducanu, 19, is set to clash Williams in the Cincinnati first round.
Williams, 40, announced last week she plans to retire from tennis at this year’s US Open.
Williams has two more tournaments left to play before she retires and Raducanu is getting a chance to meet the 23-time Grand Slam champion for the first time.
“I think it’s gonna be an exciting match. I’m looking forward to it. It’s an amazing opportunity to play probably the best the best tennis player of all time. It’s probably going to be my last opportunity to ever play her,” Raducanu said, per The Guardian. “I think that, for our careers to have crossed over, I think I’m really fortunate that I get to play her. Whatever happens, I think it’s gonna be a really good experience for me and something that I will remember for the rest of her life.”
Raducanu: It’s a gift to play Williams on her way out of tennis
“Expectations, I don’t really know, I don’t really care. I just want to go out there and, one, enjoy the match that I’m going to play whenever I do play it. It’s a great gift to play the best on her way out from the sport. So I’m just looking forward to that.”
Williams is one of the greatest players in tennis history and has left a major mark in the game.
On the other side, Raducanu became a Grand Slam champion at the age of 18 and she is considered as someone who could have a big career.
Raducanu is a fan favorite wherever she goes but Williams will certainly have lots of support when she takes onto the court for their Cincinnati first round match.