“If you can beat Sorana Cirstea,” opined Tracy Austin after Emma Raducanu did just that in the third round, “you can beat Ajla Tomljanovic.” But sometimes players face more in a match than their opponent only.

At 4-6, 0-3, after 75 minutes’ play, the British 18-year-old wild card exited No.1 Court for a medical timeout for an apparent stomach ailment, later clarified as 'breathing difficulties'. Minutes later it was announced that she could not continue, and her unheralded odyssey of heroics at Wimbledon 2021 was over.

How long the problem had troubled her was unclear, but by then Tomljanovic had firm control of the match. Australia’s experienced world No.75 has waited a long time for such a day in the sun. The metaphorical sun, that is – evening rain pattered on the No.1 Court roof as she learned she had reached the first Grand Slam quarter-final of her career. She will face her compatriot Ashleigh Barty, the world No.1, for a place in the last four.

“I’m actually really shocked,” said 28-year-old Tomljanovic. “It’s obviously bitter-sweet. Emma must be really hurt if she came to the decision to retire. To play as a Brit at home is unbelievable, so I’m really sorry for her. I wish we could have finished it. It’s sport, it happens. I’m really wishing her all the best.

“The beginning of the match was really nervous from both sides, but at the end of the first set we started playing some really good tennis. I felt I found my groove and was playing well in the second set. But if Emma was hurt and not at her best, it kind of explains it.

“Because of the circumstances, it hasn’t sunk in that I’m in the quarters. But to be playing Ash, two Aussies, with one of us sure to go to the semis – it’s great. I think everyone back home is really happy. I’m thrilled to play Ash. It will be a great match.”

Afterwards, the three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe raised another possibility about Raducanu.

“It appears it just got a little bit too much,” he said. “It’s understandable – particularly what we’ve been talking about for the last six weeks. Naomi Osaka not even here. How much can players handle? It makes you look at the guys and girls that have been around for so long, how well they can handle it. These guys and girls that keep their composure out there are amazing. We have to appreciate that they do it so well, and hopefully she’ll learn from this experience.”

Raducanu did have her chances, amassing five break points throughout the time she was on court. But it was not to be. Still, she has memories to treasure. As she walked out on to No.1 Court – the scene of her third round triumph over Cirstea – just before 8pm, she removed her earbuds to hear the applause, gazing around the stands in some wonder.

This match was a different pattern to the Cirstea contest – in that one, by the time Raducanu was leading by a set and 3-0, she had dropped just one point on her own serve. This was a meatier tussle from the off, with Tomljanovic watched from the stands by her visibly nervous boyfriend Matteo Berrettini, who had himself won through to the men’s quarter-finals earlier in the day.

Once again, the backhand which Raducanu had previously deployed to such good effect was on display here. As the first set wore on, the rallies got longer, and just a couple of times the Briton put her hand on her stomach. The nerve of both players was tested as Tomljanovic’s first serve wobbled.

Raducanu was causing problems with the depth of her strokes, and the key game was the Australian’s eight-minute hold of serve for 5-4 where she had to fend off two break points. Then it was Raducanu under fire, resisting it at deuce with a 21-stroke rally. Tomljanovic was pouring on the relentless pressure, and Raducanu pushed a forehand too long.

At the start of the second set, she was visibly struggling. She lost her serve and requested the trainer. When a chance to level came, she had to go to the back of the court to compose herself. Even so, she could not convert it… and soon after that, her Wimbledon was over.

But if anyone is in any doubt about Raducanu’s potential, then Martina Navratilova can set them right.

“Emma was born to be here,” said the nine-time Wimbledon champion as she watched the youngster. “She runs like a deer out there. If you can run like that and hit the ball, you’re in good shape. You make these big jumps in your career and she’s done the big jump at Wimbledon. She’s totally embracing it – I love it. Now there’s one word she and her management need to learn: no. Everyone’s going to want a piece of her now. She’s going to be in demand, and she has to keep her eye on the long-term prize.”

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