Novak Djokovic has voiced his support for Emma Raducanu to remain injury-free following her impressive run to the Queen’s Club Championships final on June 14, 2026. Speaking from the Formula One Grand Prix in Barcelona, the 24-time Grand Slam champion praised the British world No.
42 for her resurgence on the grass courts of London, emphasizing that her high level of play is a constant when her body allows it.
The 23-year-old Raducanu reached her first ever grass-court final at the Queen’s Club, a WTA 500 event, marking her second final of the 2026 season.
After navigating a challenging week that included a victory over Sorana Cirstea in the last 16 and a 6-2, 6-2 semi-final win against American sixth seed Iva Jovic, Raducanu fell in the championship match to Donna Vekic. Despite the 6-0, 7-6 (6) defeat, the run has sparked optimism ahead of Wimbledon.
Djokovic, who has won seven titles at SW19, was quick to highlight Raducanu’s pedigree as a former major winner. “I really hope she can stay injury free because the quality of tennis is unquestionable for her,” Djokovic told Sky Sports.
He added that her status as a Grand Slam champion is something “she has that inside,” and expects the home support to be a significant factor in her upcoming campaign.
Analysis of Raducanu’s performance at the Queen’s Club
Emma Raducanu’s path to the final was a testament to her growing consistency since reuniting with coach Andrew Richardson last month. Before the tournament, she had managed only one win in her previous seven matches. However, she found her rhythm in London, winning two matches on Saturday alone — including a quarter-final over Kamilla Rakhimova — to secure her spot in the Sunday final.
The final itself was a story of two halves against the world No. 76 Donna Vekic. After a difficult opening set where she failed to win a game, Raducanu pushed the match into a tense tiebreaker. She held two set points at 5-4 on her own serve but could not close out the set.
Vekic’s clinical efficiency proved the difference, as she converted five of her 11 break-point opportunities to secure her first title since 2023.
Physical durability remains the primary concern for the Briton, who took a medical timeout for her left thigh during the quarter-final. This mirrors broader discussions about longevity in high-performance sports, much like how Salah faces career defining choice as he enters the final stages of his top-flight tenure.
For Raducanu, the focus is now on recovery before the glare of the Wimbledon spotlights turns her way.
Djokovic evaluates his own Wimbledon preparations
While discussing Raducanu’s prospects, Novak Djokovic also touched upon his own standing ahead of the grass season. The 39-year-old has played a limited schedule in 2026, totaling just 13 matches. After a five-set loss to Joao Fonseca in the third round of the French Open, Djokovic confirmed he will skip competitive grass events before arriving at the All England Club.
The Serbian veteran noted that the transition to grass is physically favorable at this stage of his career. “I’m looking forward to the grass, not as much running required as on clay,” he explained. Much like Arthur Fils and other rising stars are shifting the sport’s baseline, Djokovic is adapting his game to maintain his elite status against a younger field.
Raducanu’s technical quality remains a point of agreement among the game’s elite. Even as her opinion on the “GOAT” debate has shifted — naming Roger Federer as the greatest during the recent Roland Garros — Djokovic continues to champion her potential.
He believes that with the British supporters behind her, the 2021 US Open winner has every tool necessary to thrive in the second week of Wimbledon.
Looking ahead to the grass court championships
Raducanu expressed pride in her recent progress despite the final loss, noting that reaching two finals in a single season is a milestone to be celebrated after years of fitness struggles. “I haven’t really played much this season, but to think I have made two finals so far…
it has to be celebrated,” she said during her runner-up speech. This positive mindset will be vital as the pressure of the home crowd intensifies.
The upcoming weeks will determine if the physical groundwork laid at Queen’s can hold up over a fortnight of best-of-three-set tennis. With Donna Vekic finding form after her Olympic silver medal last year, the women’s draw remains wide open. Raducanu’s ability to stay on the court remains the variable that Djokovic and the British public will be watching most closely.
