The hype for Emma Raducanu’s match against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is causing chaos around the Wimbledon grounds, as Clare Balding has revealed the famous Henman Hill is already at capacity, with at least half an hour to go until the Brit takes to Centre Court.
Balding told viewers watching at home on the BBC that fans were being turned away from the popular spot inside the All England Club, where punters usually pitch up to watch all the showcourt action on a big screen. Carlos Alcaraz is still in action against Jan-Lennard Struff on Centre, but nobody else will be able to catch a glimpse of Raducanu if they’re not already in the stands or on the hill.
Raducanu will face Sabalenka for the second time in her career on Friday evening as she looks to cause the biggest upset of the tournament so far. And their blockbuster third-round meeting has attracted hordes of fans to SW19, with many pitching up on Henman Hill well in advance of their showdown.
Alcaraz is currently playing the second match of the day on Centre Court against dangerous German star Struff.
After the two-time defending champion took a two-set-to-one lead, Balding revealed that Henman Hill was already at capacity ahead of Raducanu’s match, with punters being turned away.
The BBC presenter said: “She is ready for the crowd to lift her once again both on Centre Court and here on Henman Hill where it has reached capacity.
“They’re not allowing anybody else in there but it’s the most lovely atmosphere, people have got picnics, they’ve got a glass of something in their hands, and all of them sharing the experience of watching the tennis together.
“And my word, they’re going to love what is coming up, Emma Raducanu against Aryna Sabalenka.”
Raducanu made a statement when she returned to Centre Court for her second-round match against 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova. After winning 6-3 6-3, the Brit branded it one of the “best matches” she’d played in a long time.
The British No. 1 has a losing record against Sabalenka, with the three-time Major winner beating her in Indian Wells last year. But her win against Vondrousova gave her the belief that she might be able to pull off the upset at Wimbledon.
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