Tim Henman believes Emma Raducanu could make it into the second week of Wimbledon this summer – but has predicted Katie Boulter to go further than her fellow Briton.
Both women learned their opponents for the showpiece summer event on Friday as they look to win the prestigious prize.
Raducanu is set to go up against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round, with the 2021 US Open champion starting to regain full fitness.
As for Boulter, the 27-year-old is primed to lock horns with Tatjana Maria on Monday.
Emma Raducanu is currently preparing to play at Wimbledon for the first time since 2022
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Raducanu is already a Grand Slam champion and arguably the Briton with the most backing as this summer’s big event looms.
But while Henman thinks she could make it to the second week, the former tennis star believes Boulter will go further instead.
“That’s a good question,” Henman told The Metro when asked which star would go furthest at Wimbledon.
“I think probably Katie Boulter.
“She is knocking on the door of the top 20. She’s a bit more experienced and she’s played a lot more tennis.
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“I definitely think they both could be in the second week. It’s going to be interesting to see.”
Just three people from Britain have been able to win Wimbledon over the years.
Fred Perry was the first, beating Gottfried von Cramm 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 in the final all the way back in 1936.
Virginia Wade, who remains the only British woman to ever secure Wimbledon glory, claimed the prize in 1977 with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Betty Stove.
And Andy Murray was the last, with the former world No 1 winning the trophy in 2013 and 2016 respectively.
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Henman, for his part, was always a strong contender at Wimbledon.
But despite making the semi-finals of the tournament four times over the course of his career, the 49-year-old was never able to clinch glory.
Henman does love the British stories of Wimbledon, however.
And the former tennis star also likes how fans get behind players and cheer them on.
“Those British stories are always fascinating at the Championships,” he added.
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Tim Henman is backing Emma Raducanu to make it to the second week of Wimbledon this summer
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“When you get men and women playing well and the crowds get behind them.
“It creates so many stories. Fingers crossed there is going to be a lot more of them this year.”
Raducanu, meanwhile, lost to Daria Kasatkina at Eastbourne on Thursday.
But she admitted in the aftermath of her defeat that she would attempt to put a ‘positive spin’ on things after a positive appearance at the tournament.
“Losing today means I get a day off tomorrow and then get to train at Wimbledon,” she said.
Emma Raducanu has been returning to form as Wimbledon looms
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“For me, that’s how I’m going to spin it right now.
“I think I put some good level out again [in Eastbourne].
“Just to be able to back up a week like Nottingham, I’m very happy.”
