In fact, his future doubles partner: Emma Raducanu. The pair’s paths have diverged quite considerably since breakout seasons as teenagers, Raducanu winning a maiden major in Flushing Meadows in 2021, Alcaraz following suit the year after.

Before a point had been played, the British pair of Emma Raducanu and Mimi Xu struggled even to warm each other up competently for their first-round match at Wimbledon.Xu, 17, was understandably edgy.

Emma Raducanu will face former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round after beating Welsh teenager Mimi Xu on Monday; Katie Boulter also advances with thrilling three-set victory o