Emma Raducanu: Wimbledon exit ‘hard to take’ but British number one draws confidence from defeat

It is the positive manner of her defeat that sets Raducanu up for what comes next in her career.

The qualifier who stunned the world with her triumph in New York four years ago has proven that she thrives on the biggest stages.

She was not overawed by this occasion, carrying the weight of the British number one tag at Wimbledon amid an electric atmosphere, with the crowd eager to celebrate her every success.

She did not shrink when the tough moments inevitably arrived, withstanding seven set points in the first set and showing the resolve to go again in the second, each further proof that she is moving in the right direction.

In the years since her fairytale US Open triumph, she has had wrist and ankle operations, endured injury setbacks, contended with increased expectations and tried to compete despite consistent changes to her coaching set up.

This time last year, she was ranked 135th as she continued to rebuild her career, climbing back from outside the top 300 to return to the top 50.

Ultimately, the next step on her road back to the top of the sport is competing with, and overcoming, opponents like Sabalenka.

Raducanu fell to former world number one Iga Swiatek at both the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year – winning just four games across as many sets – to highlight the gulf that exists.

But this was the acid test of Raducanu 2.0’s progress – and the results were encouraging.

“I think when I look back at my career, I’m really going to remember that match because you play for those moments, to really be competing toe-to-toe with anyone, but especially with the very best,” Raducanu said.

“I think I did make good progress in the last few months, 100%, with the consistency and the work I’ve been doing.

“I need to still keep doing more of the same.”