As the tennis world gears up for the 2025 French Open, former world No. 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki has thrown her support behind Emma Raducanu, expressing confidence that the young Brit can recapture the magic of her historic 2021 US Open victory. Speaking at a TNT Sports event ahead of Roland Garros, Wozniacki, a veteran of the WTA Tour, reflected on Raducanu’s remarkable journey and the challenges she faces in a highly competitive field. At just 22, Raducanu remains a beacon of potential, and Wozniacki’s endorsement underscores the belief that the former US Open champion has the talent to add another major title to her resume.
Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph was nothing short of extraordinary. As an 18-year-old qualifier ranked 150th in the world, she stormed through the tournament without dropping a set, becoming the first player—male or female—to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier. Her fearless play and poise under pressure captivated fans, earning her global acclaim. “I mean, she’s so young, she played incredibly at the US Open,” Wozniacki said in 2022, recalling Raducanu’s stunning run. “I think nobody expected her to go all the way and I don’t think she did either.” However, the years since have been challenging, with injuries and inconsistent results testing her resilience. After undergoing surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in 2023, Raducanu missed much of that season, including Wimbledon and the French Open, and her ranking plummeted to 209.
Now, as Raducanu prepares to face world No. 42 Wang Xinyu in the first round at Roland Garros, with a potential second-round clash against reigning champion Iga Swiatek looming, Wozniacki remains optimistic about her prospects. “I mean, it’s hard to say. Can she stay healthy – is I think the main thing,” Wozniacki told reporters. “I think she’s really going in the right direction, I think she’s moving her way up.” The Dane, who herself returned to the tour in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, understands the grind of a comeback. Raducanu’s recent progress, including a semi-final run at the Nottingham Open and a climb to No. 165 in the WTA rankings, signals a return to form. Her decision to skip the 2024 French Open to focus on the grass-court season paid dividends, culminating in a third-round appearance at Wimbledon and a fourth-round run at the 2024 US Open.
Wozniacki’s belief in Raducanu stems from her own experience navigating the pressures of the WTA Tour. Having reached three Grand Slam finals and won the 2018 Australian Open after years of scrutiny over her lack of a major title, Wozniacki knows the weight of expectations. “She’s proven she can beat great players, but it’s not easy if you get a really tough draw and have to beat seeded after seeded player to reach far,” she noted, acknowledging the challenges of tough draws. Raducanu’s 2-7 record against top-10 players, including an 0-3 head-to-head against Swiatek, highlights the uphill battle she faces, yet her recent victories over top-10 opponents at Eastbourne and Wimbledon show her potential to compete with the elite.
The Dane also emphasized the importance of health and consistency for Raducanu’s resurgence. After hiring renowned physical trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, Raducanu has focused on building her physical resilience. Her collaboration with coach Mark Petchey, which began at the 2025 Miami Open, has also brought stability. “I feel really good, after the match I went and did intervals. I feel strong, I feel like I could play tomorrow,” Raducanu said after her Nottingham loss to Katie Boulter, reflecting her growing confidence. Wozniacki’s advice from 2022 still resonates: “Go out there and enjoy what you’re doing, have fun with it and the results are gonna come no doubt.”
Raducanu’s journey mirrors Wozniacki’s own in some ways. Both have faced intense scrutiny—Wozniacki for her lack of a Grand Slam until 2018, and Raducanu for her struggles to replicate her US Open success. Wozniacki’s comeback after motherhood and a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis inspired Raducanu, who has cited the Dane’s resilience as a model. “Being as young as she is and already having a Grand Slam under her belt is a great feat,” Wozniacki said, highlighting Raducanu’s youth and potential. At 34, Wozniacki herself is expecting her third child and has not confirmed a return to the tour, but her 2024 season, which included quarter-final runs at Indian Wells and Bad Homburg, showed her enduring competitive spirit.
As Raducanu navigates the clay courts of Roland Garros, the tennis world watches with bated breath. Her ability to upset top players, as demonstrated in her 2021 Wimbledon fourth-round run and recent grass-court performances, suggests she could spring a surprise. Wozniacki’s words serve as a reminder that Raducanu’s story is far from finished. With a favorable draw, the Brit could make a deep run, and as Wozniacki put it, “Either way, being as young as she is and already having a Grand Slam under her belt is a great feat.” For Raducanu, the path to another major title is daunting but achievable, and with mentors like Wozniacki in her corner, the future looks bright.
# Caroline Wozniacki Backs Emma Raducanu’s Potential for Another Grand Slam Triumph
## A Champion’s Endorsement
As the tennis world gears up for the 2025 French Open, former world No. 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki has thrown her support behind Emma Raducanu, expressing confidence that the young Brit can recapture the magic of her historic 2021 US Open victory. Speaking at a TNT Sports event ahead of Roland Garros, Wozniacki, a veteran of the WTA Tour, reflected on Raducanu’s remarkable journey and the challenges she faces in a highly competitive field. At just 22, Raducanu remains a beacon of potential, and Wozniacki’s endorsement underscores the belief that the former US Open champion has the talent to add another major title to her resume.
## Raducanu’s Historic US Open Run
Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph was nothing short of extraordinary. As an 18-year-old qualifier ranked 150th in the world, she stormed through the tournament without dropping a set, becoming the first player—male or female—to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier. Her fearless play and poise under pressure captivated fans, earning her global acclaim. “I mean, she’s so young, she played incredibly at the US Open,” Wozniacki said in 2022, recalling Raducanu’s stunning run. “I think nobody expected her to go all the way and I don’t think she did either.” However, the years since have been challenging, with injuries and inconsistent results testing her resilience. After undergoing surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in 2023, Raducanu missed much of that season, including Wimbledon and the French Open, and her ranking plummeted to 209.
## A Comeback in Progress
Now, as Raducanu prepares to face world No. 42 Wang Xinyu in the first round at Roland Garros, with a potential second-round clash against reigning champion Iga Swiatek looming, Wozniacki remains optimistic about her prospects. “I mean, it’s hard to say. Can she stay healthy – is I think the main thing,” Wozniacki told reporters. “I think she’s really going in the right direction, I think she’s moving her way up.” The Dane, who herself returned to the tour in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, understands the grind of a comeback. Raducanu’s recent progress, including a semi-final run at the Nottingham Open and a climb to No. 165 in the WTA rankings, signals a return to form. Her decision to skip the 2024 French Open to focus on the grass-court season paid dividends, culminating in a third-round appearance at Wimbledon and a fourth-round run at the 2024 US Open.
## Navigating Tough Draws and High Expectations
Wozniacki’s belief in Raducanu stems from her own experience navigating the pressures of the WTA Tour. Having reached three Grand Slam finals and won the 2018 Australian Open after years of scrutiny over her lack of a major title, Wozniacki knows the weight of expectations. “She’s proven she can beat great players, but it’s not easy if you get a really tough draw and have to beat seeded after seeded player to reach far,” she noted, acknowledging the challenges of tough draws. Raducanu’s 2-7 record against top-10 players, including an 0-3 head-to-head against Swiatek, highlights the uphill battle she faces, yet her recent victories over top-10 opponents at Eastbourne and Wimbledon show her potential to compete with the elite.
## Building Resilience with a New Team
The Dane also emphasized the importance of health and consistency for Raducanu’s resurgence. After hiring renowned physical trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, Raducanu has focused on building her physical resilience. Her collaboration with coach Mark Petchey, which began at the 2025 Miami Open, has also brought stability. “I feel really good, after the match I went and did intervals. I feel strong, I feel like I could play tomorrow,” Raducanu said after her Nottingham loss to Katie Boulter, reflecting her growing confidence. Wozniacki’s advice from 2022 still resonates: “Go out there and enjoy what you’re doing, have fun with it and the results are gonna come no doubt.”
## A Shared Journey of Resilience
Raducanu’s journey mirrors Wozniacki’s own in some ways. Both have faced intense scrutiny—Wozniacki for her lack of a Grand Slam until 2018, and Raducanu for her struggles to replicate her US Open success. Wozniacki’s comeback after motherhood and a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis inspired Raducanu, who has cited the Dane’s resilience as a model. “Being as young as she is and already having a Grand Slam under her belt is a great feat,” Wozniacki said, highlighting Raducanu’s youth and potential. At 34, Wozniacki herself is expecting her third child and has not confirmed a return to the tour, but her 2024 season, which included quarter-final runs at Indian Wells and Bad Homburg, showed her enduring competitive spirit.
## A Bright Future Ahead
As Raducanu navigates the clay courts of Roland Garros, the tennis world watches with bated breath. Her ability to upset top players, as demonstrated in her 2021 Wimbledon fourth-round run and recent grass-court performances, suggests she could spring a surprise. Wozniacki’s words serve as a reminder that Raducanu’s story is far from finished. With a favorable draw, the Brit could make a deep run, and as Wozniacki put it, “Either way, being as young as she is and already having a Grand Slam under her belt is a great feat.” For Raducanu, the path to another major title is daunting but achievable, and with mentors like Wozniacki in her corner, the future looks bright.
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