Emma Raducanu electrified the Queen’s Club crowd on June 13, 2026, with a pair of gritty, inspired victories that have propelled her into her first grass-court final—a feat that just a week ago would have seemed improbable. The 23-year-old British number one, who entered the tournament seeking to rediscover her form after a season riddled with injuries and illness, delivered two of her best performances in recent memory, reminding fans and pundits alike of the brilliance that took her to the US Open title five years ago.
The day began with uncertainty. Raducanu’s weather-delayed quarter-final against Kamilla Rakhimova was set to open proceedings, but the threat of rain and the prospect of a double-header loomed large. The physical toll was a concern, especially as Raducanu had slipped on the slick grass during the second set, clutching her left thigh in visible pain. The home crowd held its breath as she left the court for treatment, but Raducanu returned, her determination unwavering. She overcame the Uzbekistani lucky loser 6-3, 7-5, closing out the match with a display of resilience that has become her trademark.
“I think it’s amazing what adrenaline and support can do, and the mind as well,” Raducanu reflected after her quarter-final win. “So right now I still have to kind of assess, but yeah, I know we’re going to do everything we possibly can for one more tomorrow.” According to BBC TV, she also said, “It means everything to be doing this here at Queen’s. The whole day has been electric. This week has been incredible, I really enjoy playing here and that shows in my tennis. Ask any British player and they would love to lift the title here. My team and I have been through some tough moments in the last few months but we have been putting in the hard work and I want to thank them for helping me get into the final.”
With barely two and a half hours to recover, Raducanu returned to Andy Murray Arena to face the highly regarded American teenager Iva Jovic in the semi-final. Any lingering doubts about her fitness were quickly dispelled as she raced to a 4-1 lead in the opening set, her backhand as crisp and confident as ever. Despite Jovic’s attempts to claw her way back—she called a medical timeout for her left ankle midway through the first set—Raducanu maintained her composure, saving four break points in the second set and ultimately sealing a 6-2, 6-2 victory. The win marked her first appearance in a grass-court final and only her third tour-level final overall, joining her 2021 US Open triumph and her runner-up performance at the WTA 250 in Cluj earlier this year.
Former British number one Annabel Croft, speaking on BBC TV, was effusive in her praise: “I haven’t seen Emma strike the ball as well as this since the US Open. It was a tougher semi-final than the scoreline suggests but she was the one who was mentally stronger. There was such resilience from her, it was flawless. The level was extraordinarily high at the start from both of them but Emma always had the upper hand, especially with her serve. She didn’t back away from any tough moments and turned games around when she was struggling.”
Raducanu, currently ranked 42nd in the world, has not dropped a set all week. Her run at Queen’s has included wins over two top-20 opponents—Sorana Cirstea and Iva Jovic—demonstrating a level of consistency and aggression that has been missing from her game since her breakthrough in New York. This resurgence comes after rehiring Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to that historic US Open title, in May. Her performances this week have not only boosted her confidence but have also significantly improved her prospects of being seeded at Wimbledon, which begins on June 29.
“I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily the old Emma, I think it’s the new Emma,” Raducanu said, smiling. “Because if you take all the lessons and experience, all the different ups and downs, you understand a lot more what’s going on and what works for you, so I’d say that I’m back and better.”
While Raducanu’s story has captured the imagination of the British public, the other half of the final features a remarkable run from Croatia’s Donna Vekic. Ranked 76th in the world and entering the tournament as a lucky loser after losing in the final round of qualifying, Vekic has taken full advantage of her second chance. She blazed through the draw, dropping only one set en route to the final, and capped her semi-final run with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 victory over Britain’s Katie Boulter. Vekic’s serve was nearly untouchable, conceding just six points on serve during her semi-final win. Her journey included a notable victory over former world number one Karolina Pliskova, and she now stands on the brink of the biggest title of her career—her previous four titles all coming at the WTA 250 level.
“The feel-good story of the week at Queen’s is written by Donna Vekic,” one report noted, highlighting her resilience after a difficult start to the season. Vekic, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2024 and former world number 17, is contesting her first final since the Paris Olympics two years ago. She will look to cap her comeback with a statement win on London’s grass.
For Katie Boulter, the week was bittersweet. After a stunning quarter-final victory over world number two Elena Rybakina, Boulter ran out of steam against Vekic, falling in just 66 minutes. The British number three, who was aiming for her first WTA 500 final since winning in San Diego, struggled to recover from her exertions the previous day. Nevertheless, her run at Queen’s—backed by a passionate home crowd—reinforced her status as one of Britain’s brightest tennis hopes.
As the final approaches, all eyes turn to the showdown between Raducanu and Vekic. Both players have overcome adversity—Raducanu with her injuries and Vekic with her unexpected second chance—to set up a tantalizing clash. The match promises to be a fascinating battle of styles: Raducanu’s aggressive baseline play and court coverage against Vekic’s powerful serve and grass-court prowess. With both seeking redemption and a landmark title, the Queen’s Club final is set to deliver high drama and, perhaps, a glimpse of tennis’s next great rivalry.
Sunday’s final, broadcast live on BBC One from 13:15 BST, will see Raducanu try to claim her second career title and Vekic attempt to secure the biggest win of her career. The British crowd is sure to be in full voice, hoping to witness another chapter in Raducanu’s remarkable story. Whatever the outcome, the tournament has already served up plenty of inspiration—and a reminder that in tennis, comebacks and second chances are always possible.