Emma Raducanu’s mother had to squeeze past Romeo Beckham at Wimbledon today to watch her daughter play at Wimbledon.
Renee Zhaia appeared to grimace as she awkwardly shuffled her way along past David Beckham’s son and former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.
But she managed to get to her seat in time to watch the 21-year-old race to win the first set 6-1 in impressive fashion.
It continued the Beckhams’ somewhat family tradition this year of watching the Brit after David sat in the Royal Box of Centre Court alongside his mother Sandra to watch Raducanu in her first round match.
Raducanu had earlier vowed to ‘put it on the line and fight’ in her second round match at Wimbledon against Elise Mertens.
The 21-year-old is taking on the world number 33 Belgian knowing a win will take her into a third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her memorable US Open triumph in 2021.
The former British number one raced into a 5-0 lead in the first set to make the perfect start to her second round clash
Raducanu was in imperious form during the early stages of her clash with Belgian Elise Mertens
Emma Raducanu makes her way onto Court One at Wimbledon ahead of her match against Elise Mertens
Raducanu’s mother, Renee Zhai, walks past Romeo Beckham to find her seat to watch her daughter
Renee smiles as she finds her way to her seat
The 21-year-old is taking on the world number 33 Belgian knowing a win will take her into a third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her memorable US Open triumph in 2021
The 21-year-old is taking on the world number 33 Belgian (pictured) knowing a win will take her into a third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her memorable US Open triumph in 2021
Raducanu in action against Mertens during their second round match
She said ahead of the match on Court One: ‘Results-wise I have no expectations.
‘I just have expectations of myself to really put myself on the line on the court and fight and not let any frustrations get to me.’
Raducanu walked onto the court with a smile and a wave with noticeable number of empty seats as the Wimbledon crowd cheered and clapped.
The former British number one was one of four Grand Slam champions to receive a wildcard to play on the famous grass at Wimbledon following an injury ravaged 12 months.
But she put that all behind her to race into a 5-0 lead in the first set to make a perfect start against her higher-ranked opponent in front of the adoring crowd
After holding off a brief Mertens comeback, she held her service game to take the set 6-1 as she showed the form that saw her win her first Grand Slam at the tender age of 18 in 2021 without dropping a set.
Raducanu defeated Renata Zarazua, from Mexico, in her opening match 7-6 6-3 having been inspired by England’s ‘ugly’ win over Slovakia in the last 16 of the Euros.
Raducanu jokingly compared her performance to that of England’s, with the team scraping past Slovakia 2-1 in extra time.
She said in her post match interview: ‘I was for sure nervous, I think everyone could see that in my tennis a little bit but at the end of the day you have to just do what it takes to get over the line.
David Beckham and his mother Sandra Beckham sat in the Royal Box of Centre Court to watch Raducanu in her first round match
David Beckham applauds from the Royal Box on day one of the championships
Raducanu lines up a backhand on Court One
‘Honestly watching the football last night it was like winning ugly, it all counts.
‘It’s incredible, I think there’s such a good buzz in the summertime, although today’s a little bit cloudy, I think the tennis, the football, the Formula 1… it just really uplifts myself.
‘It’s such an amazing atmosphere to be a part of and honestly my motivation is just to keep coming back here and be able to keep playing and feel that buzz.’
Raducanu has appeared at six Grand Slam events since lifting the US Open title in but has not managed to go beyond the second round.
