Emma Raducanu on returning to Eastbourne, a tough draw & teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz

The 23-year-old is set to play her second event of the grass court swing on the south coast after recently making the quarter-finals at the HSBC Championships in London.

Raducanu made the final eight in Eastbourne last season – losing out to eventual champion Daria Kasatkina – and after a week’s training, the 2021 US Open champion is looking forward to getting started despite battling the notoriously windy conditions.

“I had a great time last year and that helps having good memories in a place,” Raducanu said ahead of her opening match. “All in all, I’m looking forward to this week and also prepping for Wimbledon.

“It’s so windy – I definitely forgot how windy it was so I’m trying to get used to that. In London I was feeling good but come to Eastbourne, not so good (with the conditions), but I think that’s something that everyone has to accept and come to terms with.

“It’s going to be a battle of who can manage the conditions better and who can manage themselves and their attitude and not get too frustrated.”

Seventh seed Raducanu has been dealt a tough draw against world No.64 and this year’s Singapore Tennis Open runner-up, Ann Li, in the first round.

If she manages to win, Raducanu could face two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur in the second round and then potentially a re-match with Lulu Sun after their clash at SW19 last year. Sun knocked out reigning champion Kasatkina in the first round.

“Very tough first round – it’s a difficult draw,” Raducanu added. “First match playing Ann Li, I know she has big weapons – good forehand, good serve and can slice her backhand around so it’s going to be a tough match.

“Centre Court here is really nice and I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing in front of the crowd.”

One of the headlines from the last week in tennis has been the announcement of the US Open mixed doubles teams competing this year in the new competition format.

Raducanu is set to team up with five-time Grand Slam champion and last week’s HSBC Championships title winner Carlos Alcaraz for an absolute dream partnership – alongside fellow Brit Jack Draper playing with China’s Qinwen Zheng.

“He messaged me and asked me to play,” Raducanu said, recounting the moment they made the decision to partner up later in the year.

“I mean, I was very surprised and excited of course. It’s going to be so much fun. I’ve known him for so many years so to share the court together is really special and I want to do as best as I can to not let my partner down.”

Raducanu was seen at The Queen’s Club this week watching the world No.2 in semi-final action at the HSBC Championships before the Spaniard went on to win the title.

“It’s just routine for him to win tournaments, it’s incredible,” she said. “To transition how he did from French to Queen’s so fast is really impressive. There are no other words than just well done!”

Raducanu will be in first round action against Li at the Lexus Eastbourne Open on Tuesday 24 June.

You can watch live coverage from Eastbourne on BBC Sport and Tennis Channel.