'I was in shock!': Emma Raducanu lifts the lid on Djokovic mentorship and Taylor Fritz friendship

British tennis star Emma Raducanu has offered a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the professional tour. Speaking to The Sun, the 2021 US Open champion — affectionately dubbed Britain's "tennis princess" — opened up about life inside the All England Club, detailing her conversations with Novak Djokovic and her close bond with Taylor Fritz.

The 23-year-old reflected on crossing paths with the all-time Grand Slam record holder, admitting she was initially caught off guard by the Serbian's approach.

"I distinctly remember looking at Novak and being in shock when he came over to speak with me. He gave me incredible advice on handling the brutal pressure and media expectations here in London. He has been an amazing mentor," Raducanu revealed.

Addressing the rumors and speculation surrounding her closeness with American star Taylor Fritz, with whom she has spent time practicing and hanging out, the Brit laughed off the gossip in good spirits:

"Taylor is a great friend. We have a lot of fun together and just laugh at everything written about us. On tour, we spend so many weeks at the same venues, so it's only natural to form strong bonds. People just love to create drama where there's really just a good friendship," she remarked.

Despite the media frenzy, Raducanu insisted her focus and ultimate ambitions on the court remain firmly intact.

"Above all, my biggest dream is to win Wimbledon. It's the tournament I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. I work every single day with that vision in mind, and I know exactly what it takes to get there," she concluded.