Emma Raducanu shows support for England football team ahead of blockbuster Slovakia Euro 2024 clash

Tennis star Emma Raducanu has shown support for England ahead of their Euro 2024 clash with Slovakia today

PA
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 30/06/2024

- 11:53

Updated: 30/06/2024

- 11:58

Gareth Southgate's side will be hoping to make the quarter-finals of the European Championships today

Tennis star Emma Raducanu has shown support for England ahead of their Euro 2024 clash with Slovakia today.

The Three Lions have failed to impress at the tournament so far, with a 1-0 win over Serbia on matchday one followed up by drab draws against Denmark and Slovenia.


England will be hoping to win fans round when they step out today, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

As for Raducanu, the 23-year-old is currently preparing to play at Wimbledon - with the tennis star being put through her paces ahead of the tournament.

Emma Raducanu

Tennis star Emma Raducanu has shown support for England ahead of their Euro 2024 clash with Slovakia today

PA

And Raducanu has shown her support for England by wearing a Three Lions jersey to her latest practice session.

The youngster, who has impressed during recent tournaments in Nottingham and Eastbourne, appeared to be in good spirits.

Raducanu had a big smile on her face throughout practice, with the Briton poised to face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round.

Alexandrova will be a big test for Raducanu, with the 29-year-old the 22nd seed for the tournament in London.

But with Raducanu recently showing glimpses of her best form, she'll be confident of putting her opponent to the sword.

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Raducanu won the US Open back in 2021.

But she insists she's the underdog going into her showdown with Alexandrova, saying: "It's a match where I'm actually the complete underdog because she's a lot older, a lot more experienced, ranked a lot higher.

"For me, I feel like it’s a great opportunity to try to get a good scalp, try to enjoy playing how I have been in the last few weeks and just get back into it.

"She’s got great weapons. On this surface, on grass, it only amplifies big weapons.

"I’m expecting a really difficult match.

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"For me, if I get through my first round, I’d be over the moon. Tim [Henman] has higher expectations, I guess.

"I feel very confident in my body. I was able to play three matches at a high level last week and come out physically unscathed. I’m in a really good place.

"Last year I did a good chunk of work at the end of the year to get back and healthy.

"I’ve continued that work throughout this year. There are no doubts."

England boss Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, has hinted he won't make wholesale changes for today's match with Slovakia - despite his side's poor performances in Germany so far.

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Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu practiced for Wimbledon in an England shirt on Sunday

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"A team is never quite as poor as people might think, and never quite as good as people might think," he said.

"You're probably about five per cent off where you'd like to be.

"Therefore you've got to be very careful not to throw everything out the window, lose things you're doing well and lose continuity and the confidence that comes from players playing together and the understanding that comes with that.

"You have to ignore external advice and be assured in what you're doing. Equally, we've had some players who have come in and had a big impact from the bench.

"Our substitutions in all of the matches have had a big impact, and we're mindful people are pushing for places, there's competition, we need that strength in depth.

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu will be cheering England on against Slovakia today

PA

"The squad are very together. they're training well, that's pushing the starting team that's been in place. The other players have to be ready; you might need five or six changes tomorrow, that's over half the team now.

"It's important that when players come on, they perform as the guys did the other night."

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