Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is set to kick off her 2025 clay-court season with a challenging first-round match against the in-form Dutch player Suzan Lamens at the Madrid Open. The WTA 1000 event, held at the iconic La Caja Mágica in Madrid, marks Raducanu’s return to competitive tennis after a month-long hiatus following her impressive quarter-final run at the Miami Open. As the 22-year-old Briton aims to climb the rankings and rediscover her best form, this opening clash against Lamens promises to test her resilience on a surface where she has historically struggled.
Raducanu, currently ranked No. 47, enters the Madrid Open with cautious optimism. Her 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, marked by a third-round appearance at the Australian Open and a standout performance in Miami, where she defeated top-20 players Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova. Reflecting on her Miami run, Raducanu said, “The biggest thing I’m proud of is just finding the competitive spirit and being there for every ball and drawing that out of myself.” However, a string of first-round losses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, coupled with a back injury and the departure of coach Nick Cavaday, has tested her resolve. Now, with a new support team including Mark Petchey and Jane O’Donoghue, Raducanu is eager to build momentum on the clay.
Her opponent, Suzan Lamens, ranked No. 69, is no pushover. The 25-year-old Dutchwoman has enjoyed a breakout 2025, boasting a 15-10 win-loss record and a career-high ranking of No. 64 in March. Lamens’ clay-court credentials are particularly strong, with recent victories over Katie Boulter and Tatjana Maria in Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers and a semi-final appearance at the Rouen Open, where she defeated Bianca Andreescu and Linda Nosková. Her crowning achievement came in October 2024, when she clinched her maiden WTA title at the Japan Women’s Open in Osaka, defeating Kimberly Birrell in the final. This triumph propelled Lamens into the top 100, and her confidence on clay makes her a formidable foe for Raducanu.
The Madrid Open draw offers both opportunity and peril for Raducanu. A victory over Lamens would set up a second-round clash with 24th seed Marta Kostyuk, followed by a potential third-round meeting with ninth seed Paula Badosa. A deep run could see her face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals, a daunting but exciting prospect. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman is optimistic about Raducanu’s chances, noting, “If she can stay healthy and competes a lot, the results will come because she’s that good.” However, Raducanu’s clay-court record remains a concern. In 2024, she played just six clay matches, securing four wins, including two in Billie Jean King Cup ties against Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry. Her Madrid campaign last year ended abruptly with a first-round loss to María Lourdes Carlé, which she attributed to “physical and emotional exhaustion.”
Clay has never been Raducanu’s strongest surface, as she admitted during last year’s Billie Jean King Cup: “I think in the future, it’s going to be a surface that will actually really suit me, I think, maybe I’m a little bit away from that right now.” Her powerful groundstrokes are well-suited to the slower, high-bouncing conditions, but her movement on the slippery surface has often been a work in progress. Former British No. 1 Laura Robson believes Raducanu can shine on clay, stating, “Clay is great for developing all areas of the game. Tactically, it’s a great surface to learn how to turn around matches when you are behind in slower conditions.” Robson’s encouragement comes as Raducanu navigates Madrid’s unique conditions, where the 700m altitude results in faster courts compared to other clay venues like Rome.
Raducanu’s decision to skip the Stuttgart Open and Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers this year sparked debate, with Andy Roddick questioning her choice to pause after Miami: “She looked like a top-10 player in Miami. Why stop now?” Yet, her team insists the break was necessary to prepare for the grueling clay season. With only 10 ranking points to defend from last year’s Madrid appearance, Raducanu has a golden opportunity to boost her ranking, especially with 4,000 points available across Madrid, Rome, and the French Open. A strong performance could solidify her return to the top 50 and set the stage for a successful grass-court season, where she has historically excelled.
As Raducanu steps onto the red dirt of Madrid, the tennis world watches with bated breath. Can she overcome Lamens’ clay-court prowess and silence doubters with a deep run? Her journey begins on April 22, 2025, in a match that could define the trajectory of her clay-court campaign and reaffirm her status as one of Britain’s brightest talents.