Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis sensation, stands at a pivotal moment in her career as she prepares for the upcoming US Open. The hard courts of New York, where she claimed her historic 2021 Grand Slam title as an 18-year-old qualifier, beckon once again. After a rollercoaster journey marked by injuries, coaching changes, and a recent Wimbledon disappointment, Raducanu has a chance to reclaim her momentum and make a significant rankings push. The coming weeks, particularly the Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati, offer her a golden opportunity to atone for her Wimbledon setback and potentially secure a coveted seeded spot at the US Open.
Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph was nothing short of a fairytale. Ranked 150th in the world, she stormed through qualifying and the main draw without dropping a set, defeating Leylah Fernandez in the final to become the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Wade in 1977. The victory catapulted her to global stardom, but the years since have been challenging. Injuries, including surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in 2023, saw her ranking plummet outside the top 300. Yet, her resilience has shone through, and by mid-2025, she had climbed back to world No. 40, briefly reclaiming the title of British No. 1 before slipping to third behind Katie Boulter and others.
This year’s Wimbledon was a tale of promise and frustration. Raducanu entered the tournament with high hopes, fueled by a strong clay-court season and a fruitful partnership with coach Mark Petchey. Her commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round showcased her aggressive play and growing confidence on grass. “I think today I played really, really well,” Raducanu said after the match. “There were some points I have no idea how I turned around.” However, her campaign ended in the third round against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 7-6(6), 6-4 battle. Despite leading in both sets, Raducanu couldn’t close the gap against the dominant Sabalenka, who praised her opponent’s tenacity: “She played such incredible tennis, and she pushed me so hard to get this win.”
The Wimbledon loss stung, especially as Raducanu had been on the cusp of securing a seeded spot, which could have opened up an easier draw. A cautious decision to skip the Berlin event due to fitness concerns, combined with an early exit in Eastbourne to Australian teenager Maya Joint, derailed her momentum. Now, as the US Open approaches, Raducanu faces a critical juncture. The Montreal and Cincinnati Masters tournaments offer a combined 2,000 ranking points, providing a chance to bolster her position and potentially earn a seed in New York. Last year, she reached the quarterfinals in Washington, and matching or surpassing that result will be crucial to avoid losing points.
A significant challenge looms in her coaching situation. Her collaboration with Petchey, which sparked notable improvements in her serve and forehand, appears to be nearing its end due to his prior commitments. “It’s quite sad that her working relationship with Mark Petchey seems set to come to an end, especially after how well they have worked together,” noted a tennis analyst. Raducanu’s coaching history has been turbulent, with multiple changes since her US Open win, including stints with Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, and others. Finding a stable, long-term coach before the US Open is essential to maintain her upward trajectory. With Nick Cavaday currently in her corner, she may look to another experienced mentor to guide her through the hard-court season.
Despite these challenges, Raducanu’s recent performances offer hope. Her ability to compete toe-to-toe with top players like Sabalenka and her first career top-10 wins over Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari earlier this year signal a return to form. “Having a match like that where I had chances in both sets, it does give me confidence,” she reflected after Wimbledon. The US Open, where she made history, could be the stage for another breakthrough. A seeded spot would provide a more favorable draw, allowing her to build momentum and avoid early clashes with top players.
As Raducanu prepares for the North American swing, the spotlight will again be on her. The pressure of being a Grand Slam champion and a home favorite at Wimbledon has tested her resilience, but her joy in the game is returning. Her recent doubles partnership with Katie Boulter at Queen’s, where she played with a “free and expressive” demeanor, highlighted her renewed love for tennis. If she can harness this positivity, secure a stable coaching setup, and capitalize on the points available in Montreal and Cincinnati, Raducanu could arrive in New York ready to rewrite her story. The US Open offers not just a chance to atone for Wimbledon but an opportunity to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
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