“I talked to her after Linz and the other matches she lost and I told her, ‘Come on girl, it’s just a match, you’re playing really well. You’re tired mentally, physically, because you’ve played a lot this year.’ Winning a grand slam is a really big deal,” said Ruse.

Having climbed an incredible 324 places in the WTA rankings to break inside the world’s top 20 this year, Raducanu’s homecoming – tickets for which sold out within a week – will provide a flavour of the hype and attention the star will receive during her first full season on tour next year.

“We signed Emma to play before the US Open – the fact she went on to win it was a huge shot in the arm for us,” said Paul McCann, the vice-president of tennis events at IMG, the agency which also manages Raducanu. “To have the US Open Champion and hottest property in women’s tennis come and play at our event is huge, we’re all incredibly excited about it.”

Crowds at the Champions of Tennis event have typically been of an older demographic in the past, although McCann has high hopes Raducanu’s feted appearance – for which she will receive a “modest” fee – will attract a younger audience that “aren’t necessarily hard-core tennis lovers.” But those attending who are hoping to get their hands on Raducanu merchandise – a Wimbledon-esque towel or something of the sort – will be left disappointed. 

Fresh from her first holiday in seven years – Raducanu’s new coach, Torben Beltz, is not expected to be present for the event. The players’ competitive edge, however, will be. “We are really happy to play against each other,” said Ruse. “It’s funny, because Emma has told me, ‘Gabby, take it easy on me – it’s just an exhibition match.’”

Twenty-four years since John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg renewed their famous rivalry at London’s treasured concert hall, it is fitting that the sport’s latest superstar will bring the curtain down on the long-running event.