Emma Raducanu takes leaf out of Rafa Nadal's book as she opens her Wimbledon campaign with 6-4, 6-4 win over Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck

Emma Raducanu began her quest for a second Grand Slam title with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Alison Van Uytvanck.

Raducanu’s magical run to win the US Open last year was all the more remarkable because of how easy she made it look, but the teenager from Orpington is aware it will not always be as straightforward.

After Monday's win over Van Uytvanck Raducanu showed up in her post-match press conference wearing an outfit with Rafael Nadal’s logo on it, having already done so at practice earlier this week.

So while her only Slam success to date came at a canter, the difficult months that have followed - including second-round exits at both the Australian and French Opens - have taught her that she will need to show the same spirit as 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal if she is to add to her Flushing Meadows crown.

She said: “I think Rafa embodies fight and that sort of energy. That is what I’m bringing in energy-wise, I think I have had a tough year, it’s no secret. But it is all worth it to go out on Centre Court and get a win like that.

“I’m definitely very happy to be here and all the lessons I have taken from the last year will only hold me in good stead for the future.

“I definitely feel a really good energy. Like how can you not playing here? Just walking around, you really feel the positivity. I feel like I've learnt a lot in the last year.

“But it hasn't necessarily all been terrible. I won my first round at every Slam. As a 19-year-old, I pretty much just took my gap year and, like, I’m starting again now.”

Raducanu’s preparation for Wimbledon has been far from perfect, and she was forced to withdraw from her only previous grass-court appearance this season because of a side strain.

That had limited her practice time,