As the grass courts of Wimbledon loom on the horizon, Emma Raducanu has reclaimed her position as Britain’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, a title she last held in 2021 after her historic US Open triumph. The 22-year-old’s recent performances, particularly her impressive run to the quarter-finals at the Queen’s Club Championships, have not only restored her status as British No. 1 but also propelled her up the WTA and UTR rankings, fueling optimism for a strong showing at her home Grand Slam. With a renewed sense of confidence and a bolstered coaching team, Raducanu is poised to make waves at SW19.
Raducanu’s ascent began with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 victory over Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova at Queen’s, a match that showcased her rediscovered form on grass. The win avenged a previous loss in the Billie Jean King Cup and secured her place as the nation’s leading player, overtaking Katie Boulter, who fell to Diana Shnaider in a three-set battle at the same tournament. Raducanu’s rise to No. 36 in the WTA rankings and No. 29 in the UTR rankings reflects her growing consistency, a stark contrast to the injury-plagued 2023 season that saw her drop outside the top 300. “I am really pleased to get through that,” Raducanu said after her Queen’s victory. “I don’t think it was my cleanest performance, but I am really pleased to push through in the tight moments.”
The Queen’s performance was a testament to Raducanu’s resilience, as she navigated a challenging match against Sramkova, capitalizing on key moments and benefiting from occasional lucky net cords. Her focus on improving her game rather than chasing seedings has shifted her mindset. “I think maybe my goals have slightly shifted from being seeded to actually improving my game,” she admitted after a loss to world No. 5 Zheng Qinwen at Queen’s. “When I play those top players, I need to make it closer and feel more competitive.” This introspective approach, coupled with her return to grass, has rekindled the spark that made her a global sensation at 18.
Raducanu’s journey to Wimbledon has not been without hurdles. A persistent back injury, which flared up before the French Open and forced her to withdraw from the Berlin Open, required careful management during her Queen’s campaign. “I’m not overly concerned that it’s something serious,” she said, “but I know it’s something that’s very annoying and needs proper and careful management.” Despite the setback, Raducanu remains optimistic about competing in the Lexus Eastbourne Open, a crucial warm-up event where she previously defeated top-10 player Jessica Pegula in 2024. Her decision to prioritize higher-tier WTA 500 events like Queen’s and Eastbourne over smaller tournaments offers more ranking points, enhancing her chances of climbing into the top 32 for a Wimbledon seeding.
The rivalry with Boulter, who held the British No. 1 spot since June 2023, adds an intriguing subplot to the grass-court season. Yet, Raducanu downplayed the significance of the ranking shuffle, emphasizing their camaraderie. “It’s nice [being British No. 1], but I wouldn’t say it’s the most important thing for me,” she said. “I think having Katie in front, it was nice for me to have something to chase.” Boulter echoed the sentiment, expressing support: “I’m very happy for her to be British No. 1. But at the same time, it’s going to be fun for me to chase her now.” Their doubles partnership, dubbed “Boultucanu,” highlighted their friendship, with Raducanu playfully writing “long live Boultucanu” on a camera lens after her Queen’s win.
Raducanu’s resurgence is bolstered by her coaching team, with the return of Nick Cavaday alongside Mark Petchey providing stability. Her improved serve and aggressive groundstrokes, honed during a solid clay season with a fourth-round appearance at the Italian Open, signal her readiness for grass. Despite a challenging 2025 start, with early losses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, her Miami Open quarter-final run—featuring wins over Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova—demonstrated her potential. As Wimbledon approaches, Raducanu’s focus on safety and security, heightened by past stalking incidents, underscores her determination to perform unburdened. With enhanced security measures at Wimbledon, including fixated threat specialists, she expressed confidence: “I think feeling safe, feeling secure is extremely important.”
As Raducanu prepares for Eastbourne and Wimbledon, the tennis world watches eagerly. Her double rankings boost and renewed momentum position her as a contender to surpass her previous Wimbledon best of the fourth round, achieved in 2021 and 2024. With the home crowd behind her, the former US Open champion is ready to embrace the challenge and chase Grand Slam glory once more.
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