As the tennis world turns its gaze toward Flushing Meadows for the 2025 US Open, British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu is emerging as a formidable contender, her recent performances igniting optimism among fans and pundits alike. Former British No. 1 and Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothavong has hailed the 22-year-old’s resurgence, declaring, “She loves this part of the year!” Raducanu’s electrifying run to the Washington Open semifinals, coupled with her aggressive play and newfound confidence, has positioned her as a serious threat at the final Grand Slam of the season, set to unfold from August 25 to September 7. With her historic 2021 US Open triumph still resonating, Raducanu’s return to the hard courts of North America feels like a homecoming for the former champion.
Raducanu’s journey since her fairytale 2021 victory, where she became the first qualifier to win a major without dropping a set, has been a rollercoaster of injuries and inconsistency. After surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle in 2023, she plummeted to No. 303 in the rankings. Yet, 2025 has marked a remarkable turnaround. Climbing back to No. 45 ahead of the North American swing, she reclaimed the British No. 1 ranking from Katie Boulter after a standout week in Washington. There, she dispatched two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka and former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari, showcasing the aggressive baseline game that defined her 2021 run. “I thought she had a pretty good grass-court season and has carried that confidence into the start of the North American hard-court swing,” Keothavong observed, noting Raducanu’s ability to thrive under pressure. Her semifinal loss to Anna Kalinskaya, coupled with a doubles semifinal alongside Elena Rybakina, underscored her growing match fitness, critical for the grueling best-of-five-set format at the US Open.
“Hard courts are where she’s most comfortable,” Keothavong emphasized, a sentiment echoed by Raducanu’s own reflections on her game. Her powerful two-handed backhand, described as “world-class” by Keothavong, and a serve peaking at 110 mph have been sharpened under the guidance of hitting partner Alexis Canter, with uncertainty lingering about her coaching setup after parting ways with Mark Petchey. Raducanu’s recent performances, including a third-round showing at Wimbledon where she pushed world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to the limit, demonstrate a player rediscovering her spark. “I think when I look back at my career, I’m really going to remember that match because you play for those moments, to really be competing toe-to-toe with the very best,” she said after the 7-6(8-6), 6-4 defeat, a testament to her growing belief.
Raducanu’s preparation for the US Open continues at the Canadian Open in Montreal, where she opened with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Elena Gabriela Ruse, setting up a second-round clash with American Peyton Stearns. The tight turnaround—less than 48 hours after Washington—highlights her resilience, though Keothavong stressed the importance of staying injury-free: “The biggest challenge for her is becoming a more robust athlete and being able to compete at the highest level week in, week out.” Raducanu’s history of injuries, including a back issue that forced her withdrawal from Auckland in January 2025, remains a concern, but her recent training with fitness guru Yutaka Nakamura, formerly of Maria Sharapova and Osaka, signals a commitment to physical durability.
The US Open holds a special place for Raducanu, who in 2021 stunned the likes of Belinda Bencic and Leylah Fernandez to claim the title at just 18. “It’s so exciting to be in my second Grand Slam and in the final and going out there today I can’t wait to just get stuck in,” she said before that historic final, a mindset she’s recapturing. Her 2025 season, marked by a Miami Open quarterfinal, a Strasbourg win over Daria Kasatkina, and Billie Jean King Cup victories over Jule Niemeier and Rebecca Marino, reflects a player building momentum. Former pro Barry Cowan believes a top-32 seed at the US Open would mark progress beyond her 2024 season, stating, “If she were to get a seeded position for the US Open, I would say she’s absolutely ahead of probably where she was eight months ago.”
As Raducanu navigates the hard-court swing, her expressive play and tenacity—evident in wins over top-10 players like Jessica Pegula and Sakkari—suggest she’s ready to challenge the elite. “I just play so much better when I’m happy and putting my personality out there,” she said, crediting off-court passions like art and piano for her mental balance. With the women’s draw wide open after early exits of top seeds at Wimbledon, Raducanu’s blend of grit and flair could make her a dark horse at Flushing Meadows, where she once made history and now aims to reignite her legacy.
Leave a Reply