Emma Raducanu could face 14-year-old British wonderkid after teenager granted wildcard

Emma Raducanu might be back as British No.1, but the 2021 US Open champion could soon be threatened by a new teenage sensation. Raducanu will play in Eastbourne next week in her final tournament before Wimbledon this summer, and will look to better her 2024 run, where she reached the quarter-finals.

However, she won't be the only home hero. Sonay Kartal and Heather Watson have also entered the tournament, and the trio could yet be joined by Megan Knight. The 14-year-old has been handed a wildcard into the qualifying rounds and will take on Hungarian world No.69 Anna Bondar in her opening match today.

She's currently the best player in the world in her age group with her world junior ranking of 158. If she makes the main draw at the Devonshire Park Tennis Club, fans may get the enticing prospect of the young protege going head-to-head with Raducanu

It's a match that would likely draw mass publicity and be given top billing by tournament organisers. Knight has already made waves this season, winning the Under-16 Junior National Championships to go with her previous Under-12 and 14 titles.

She's also continued the legacy of a famous sporting family. Her father, cricketer Nick Knight, played 17 Test matches and 100 ODI internationals as an opener for England cricket team.

However, Knight faces an intense schedule if she's to join Raducanu and co. Qualifying matches continue into her tomorrow with the first round getting underway the following day on Monday, June 23.

Raducanu is seeded seventh for Eastbourne, the first time in almost two years she has been afforded that privilege in a tournament. She's now ranked 36th in the world, but insisted this week she was currently focused on performances, and not statistics.

"I think maybe my goals have slightly shifted from being seeded to actually improving my game," she said. "I'd rather have a more competitive match, even if that means losing in the first round or the second."