Emma Raducanu set for huge financial hit despite winning £226,000 in Wimbledon prize money

Emma Raducanu's run at Wimbledon 2024 was ended by Lulu Sun in the round of 16, but the British tennis star still earned more than £220,000 from her time at SW19

Despite pocketing a cool £226,000 from her recent Wimbledon stint, Emma Raducanu is set to take a financial hit.

The 21-year-old tennis star faced off against last-minute replacement Renata Zarazua in the tournament's opening game, besting the Mexican player with scores of 7-6 and 6-3 to secure her spot in the second round. She then breezed past Elise Mertens with 6-1 and 6-2 victories, advancing to the third round where she made short work of Maria Sakkari, winning 6-2 and 6-3.

However, the British tennis sensation's journey came to an abrupt end in the round of 16 when she was pitted against New Zealand's Lulu Sun. Sun took the first game 6-2, but Raducanu fought back to win the second 7-5.

Sadly, this would be her last victory at Wimbledon 2024, as Sun once again triumphed 6-2 in the third set, knocking Raducanu out of the competition. Even though she was eliminated in the round of 16, the star reportedly walked away with a £226,000 paycheck for her participation in the London-based Grand Slam.

However, financial experts predict that she'll face significant financial fees off the court. Dr Rob Wilson, speaking to OLBG, explained: "Emma Raducanu, like most athletes who earn any kind of real money, will be set up as a company for the purposes of taxation and earning profits etc.

"She'll pay, on the basis that she's based in the UK, 20% corporation tax up to a certain level and then 25% as soon as those profits go above the next tax threshold. So if she were to earn, say, £10million she would be expected to be taxed by around £2.5m, and then there will be deductible expenses through a company to try and bring that tax bill down, which are all legitimate.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

"But she will have a significant tax bill based upon her Wimbledon earnings which are as of yet to be confirmed. Realistically, 20% corporation tax on top of those earnings." It follows accusations that Raducanu spoiled tennis legend Andy Murray's Wimbledon farewell in the mixed doubles tournament.

Initially, Murray was set to participate in the men's singles tournament, but he couldn't make his first match with Tomas Machac due to recovery from a back operation. Instead, Murray chose to compete in the men's doubles and mixed doubles tournaments. In the men's doubles, he and his brother Jamie were defeated in their first game against John Peers and Rinky Hijikata - losing 7-6 and 6-4.

And Murray was also slated to play alongside Raducanu in the mixed doubles tournament until she withdrew due to injury concerns. Discussing the decision, she said: "I didn’t want to take his last match away from him. But at the end of the day I think a lot of the players in a similar situation would have done the same thing, prioritising their body.

"I still stand by making the right call. He was obviously disappointed because it’s his last match [at Wimbledon]. But what a champion. I think that hopefully he’ll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there. I think with every decision, people are entitled to their opinions.

"Of course, there was a bit of a cloud it. I don’t think I would have done it any other way. I think in this sport especially, as an individual, you have to make your own calls and prioritise yourself. Especially with my history, I just had to put myself first." Two-time Wimbledon champ Murray is set to hang up his racket later this year, but not before aiming for Olympic gold with Team GB in Paris.

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