Emma Raducanu emerged from her thrilling encounter with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon with newfound confidence, despite suffering a close defeat of 7-6(6), 6-4 in front of an ecstatic Centre Court crowd.

The first set of this riveting match lasted 74 minutes, during which Raducanu showcased her resilience by saving seven set points and generating a chance of her own, only to narrowly miss out.

In the second set, Raducanu even held a 4-2 lead and had opportunities to extend her advantage to 5-2 before Sabalenka rallied to clinch the win.

Raducanu, whose recent performances against top-tier players had been lackluster, found a silver lining in this match. "It does give me confidence because I think the problem before was that I felt like I was gulfs away from the very top," she shared.

Reflecting on the match, she said, "Having a match like that where I had chances in both sets gives me confidence, even though it’s difficult to accept right now. I’m realizing I’m closer to the top than I previously believed."

Raducanu acknowledged the unique challenges of grass courts, stating, "Grass is a great surface for me—it kind of levels the playing field. However, transitioning back to more lively surfaces in America will present its own challenges."

On the positives, she noted, "I was toe to toe with her. I felt more confident going into this match. Yet, there's a significant difference in first serves, and that's an area I need to improve."

In a candid press conference, Raducanu did not hold back regarding the Hawk-Eye line-calling system that has replaced line judges at this year’s Championships. She critiqued a crucial out call, expressing her frustration with the inconsistencies of the technology.

"That call was for sure out. It’s disappointing that the tournament can have such inaccuracies, although most calls have been acceptable. I’ve faced several wrong calls in my previous matches too. I hope they can address this issue," she concluded.