On the red clay of Rome’s Foro Italico, Emma Raducanu is scripting a story of resilience and adaptation at the 2025 Italian Open. The 22-year-old British tennis star, ranked No. 49 in the world, has reached the third round of this WTA 1000 event for the first time, a milestone that underscores her evolving relationship with a surface she candidly describes as “complicated.” Her journey on clay, marked by both struggle and progress, is captivating fans and analysts alike as she navigates the challenges of a surface that demands patience, precision, and physical grit.
Raducanu’s latest triumph came against Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann, a 6-2, 6-2 rout that showcased her growing confidence. The match, completed in just 90 minutes, was a testament to her adaptability, especially considering the last-minute shake-up she faced. Originally slated to play World No. 20 Ekaterina Alexandrova, Raducanu learned during her warm-up that she would instead face Teichmann, a left-handed qualifier. “To be honest it was pretty mental, as I was warming up for my match against Alexandrova and, all of a sudden, I get told I’m playing Jil,” she told reporters, her tone reflecting the whirlwind of the moment. The switch required a rapid tactical shift, but Raducanu rose to the occasion, hammering six aces and committing only two double faults, a marked improvement in her serve.
Her performance in Rome builds on a season that has seen her claw her way back into the world’s top 50 after a challenging 2023 marred by wrist and ankle surgeries. Earlier this year, she reached the quarterfinals at the Miami Open, her best WTA 1000 result to date. Yet, clay remains a puzzle she’s still solving. “I still don’t really feel comfortable on clay but in a way it helps me because I have to be super focused on every single point, just getting my feet right and to try and not fall over, so it is a big challenge,” she admitted. This hyper-focus, born of discomfort, has sharpened her game, forcing her to hone her movement and shot selection on a surface where sliding and stamina are paramount.
Raducanu’s clay-court odyssey began in earnest in 2022, when she played her first professional match on the surface during the Billie Jean King Cup. Since then, her record on clay has been modest, with only a handful of wins. Last season, she managed just two victories on the surface, but her recent performances suggest a shift. At the Madrid Open in April 2025, she secured a win before falling to Marta Kostyuk, noting afterward, “I want to work on doing things differently to try and bridge the gap between where I am now and where I want to be.” Her commitment to growth is evident in Rome, where she’s displaying a more aggressive style, a departure from the defensive play often required on clay.
Her serve, a focal point of recent tweaks, has been a key weapon. After working with new part-time coach Mark Petchey since March, Raducanu has refined her service motion to add power and disguise. “If you look at my serve now compared to Australia, compared to the Middle East, even Miami, I changed it after Miami with some tweaks and it’s a completely different motion,” she explained. Experts like former player Miles Maclagan have praised her aggressive approach, noting, “She was aggressive, kept her foot on the pedal throughout on a day when things could have got tricky.” Marion Bartoli, a former Wimbledon champion, highlighted her improved movement, crediting her gym work for building the leg strength essential for clay’s demanding slides.
Off the court, Raducanu’s coaching situation adds another layer to her narrative. Petchey, juggling commentary duties, is absent in Rome, with Jane O’Donoghue, a trusted mentor from the Lawn Tennis Association, stepping in. “I’m not biased but I love hearing him commentate. I think he’s a great commentator,” Raducanu said of Petchey, her admiration clear. This flexible arrangement suits her, as she describes the clay season as a “fresh start” with a new mindset. “I feel more optimistic, I feel pretty positive about things going forward,” she shared, her words carrying the weight of someone rediscovering her love for the game.
As she prepares to face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round, Raducanu knows the road ahead is steep. With the French Open looming, her time in Rome is both a proving ground and a learning curve. Her “love-hate” relationship with clay, as she called it, is evolving into something more nuanced—a partnership where discomfort fuels focus, and every win feels like a hard-earned step forward. Whether she conquers clay or continues to wrestle with its challenges, Raducanu’s determination to keep sliding, learning, and swinging ensures she remains a force to watch.
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