As the 2025 French Open kicks off, the tennis world is abuzz with speculation about Emma Raducanu’s prospects of capturing a second Grand Slam title. The 22-year-old British star, who stunned the world with her 2021 US Open victory as a qualifier, has been navigating a turbulent journey since that historic triumph. Former World No. 1 and Australian Open champion Andy Roddick, a respected voice in tennis, recently shared his insights on Raducanu’s potential to reclaim Grand Slam glory, offering a blend of optimism and caution about her path forward.
Raducanu’s meteoric rise in 2021, when she became the first qualifier to win a major in the Open Era, set sky-high expectations. Her 10-match, 20-set unbeaten streak in New York, culminating in a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Leylah Fernandez, showcased her fearless baseline game and composure under pressure. However, injuries and inconsistent form have since tested her resilience. Roddick, speaking on his “Served” podcast, expressed confidence in her talent but emphasized the need for consistency. “She’s got the game to win another major, no question,” he said. “But it’s about stringing together matches and staying healthy. She’s still figuring out how to manage the grind of the tour.”
This season, Raducanu has shown flashes of her championship form while grappling with physical setbacks. Her 2025 Australian Open campaign saw her reach the third round, defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova before falling 6-1, 6-0 to Iga Świątek. “I think it was a match going into it I knew I had to play really well,” Raducanu reflected. “I look back and know exactly what I need to do, and I take it as feedback.” Her clay-court preparation has been promising, with a standout performance at the Italian Open, where she battled past Maya Joint in a 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3 thriller. “It was a really hard battle,” she said. “I’m really proud of myself because that was a great performance on all fronts.”
Raducanu’s recent form on clay, a surface she’s still mastering, has fueled optimism. Her victory over former World No. 8 Daria Kasatkina at the Strasbourg Open, a 6-1, 6-3 rout, highlighted her growing comfort on the red dirt. “I’m really proud of my performance. How I came out and I was really aggressive,” she said. “I think as I spend more time on clay, I’m starting to like it a little bit more.” This confidence is critical as she faces China’s Wang Xinyu in the French Open’s first round, with a potential second-round clash against Świątek, a four-time champion, looming large.
Roddick’s analysis underscores Raducanu’s potential to break through again, particularly if she can harness her aggressive baseline play and improve her serve, which has been a point of concern. At the Australian Open, she hit 15 double faults against Alexandrova, a reminder of the technical tweaks needed to compete with the elite. Her new fitness coach, Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova, is helping address her hypermobility-related injuries, which have plagued her since her 2023 surgeries on both wrists and an ankle. “I’m someone who’s very flexible and quite hypermobile,” Raducanu noted. “I think that’s where a lot of my niggles have come from in the past.”
Despite her No. 47 ranking, Raducanu’s draw at Roland Garros offers both opportunity and peril. A deep run could propel her back into the top 32, potentially earning her a Wimbledon seeding. Roddick believes her mental toughness and ability to learn from setbacks, like her chastening defeat to Świątek, position her well for future majors. “She’s not far off,” he said. “If she can get a good run of health and matches, she’s dangerous.” As Raducanu steps onto the Parisian clay, her journey—marked by resilience, raw talent, and the weight of expectation—continues to captivate fans eager to see if she can reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
# Emma Raducanu’s Quest for a Second Major in 2025
## A Historic Breakthrough and High Expectations
Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph, where she won 10 straight matches as a qualifier to claim the title, remains a defining moment in tennis history. At just 18, she defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 without dropping a set, becoming the first British woman to win a major since 1977. Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick, reflecting on her potential, said, “She’s got the game to win another major, no question.” However, injuries and the pressures of the WTA Tour have made her path to a second title challenging.
## Navigating Injuries and Form
Since her US Open victory, Raducanu has battled wrist, ankle, and back injuries, sidelining her for much of 2023. Her 2025 season began with a third-round run at the Australian Open, where she defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova before a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Iga Świątek. “I look back and know exactly what I need to do, and I take it as feedback,” she said. Her clay-court campaign has shown promise, with a gritty 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3 win over Maya Joint at the Italian Open and a dominant 6-1, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina in Strasbourg.
## Building Confidence on Clay
Raducanu’s growing affinity for clay is evident. “I’m really proud of my performance. How I came out and I was really aggressive,” she said after beating Kasatkina. “I think as I spend more time on clay, I’m starting to like it a little bit more.” Her aggressive baseline play, complemented by well-timed drop shots and improved movement, signals progress. Working with fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, she’s addressing physical vulnerabilities. “I’m someone who’s very flexible and quite hypermobile,” she noted, explaining past injuries.
## The French Open Challenge
At Roland Garros, Raducanu faces Wang Xinyu in the first round, with a potential second-round matchup against Świątek. Roddick believes consistency is key: “If she can get a good run of health and matches, she’s dangerous.” Her No. 47 ranking reflects steady progress, and a deep run could see her reclaim the British No. 1 spot and earn a Wimbledon seeding. As Raducanu navigates the pressures of expectation and a tough draw, her resilience and talent keep the dream of a second major alive.
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