Emma Raducanu, Britain’s tennis sensation, electrified the Louis Armstrong Stadium with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara in the first round of the 2025 US Open. Clocking in at just 62 minutes, the match marked her fastest professional win and her first at Flushing Meadows since her historic 2021 title run as an 18-year-old qualifier. Now, under the guidance of her new coach, Francisco Roig, the 22-year-old is embracing a fresh mindset, shedding the weight of perfectionism as she prepares to face Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in the second round. Raducanu’s performance and newfound approach have sparked excitement, signaling a potential return to her Grand Slam-winning form.
Raducanu’s journey since her 2021 triumph has been a rollercoaster of injuries, coaching changes, and intense scrutiny. After cycling through multiple coaches, including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, and Nick Cavaday, she found stability with Roig, a seasoned Spaniard who spent 18 years coaching Rafael Nadal to all 22 of his Grand Slam titles. Their partnership, formalized in August 2025 after a trial following Wimbledon, has already shown promise. “I’m really enjoying working with Francis. He’s a great person to have on and off the court,” Raducanu shared with a smile. “He is chatty and great fun off the court, we have a lot of laughs which definitely helps.” Her words reflect a dynamic that balances hard work with a lighthearted atmosphere, a stark contrast to the pressure-filled years following her breakout.
Roig’s influence is evident in Raducanu’s evolving mindset. “I can be pretty tough on myself sometimes. He just helps a lot with trying to be not such a perfectionist,” she said, highlighting his role in fostering patience and perspective. This shift was clear in her dominant performance against Shibahara, where she controlled rallies with precise groundstrokes and showcased improved movement. Despite Roig’s vocal encouragement from the stands—often picked up by broadcast microphones—Raducanu admitted to relying on lip-reading due to the roaring crowd. “I really don’t hear much at all. It’s really difficult unless you’re at the box and you’re speaking very close and looking, it’s so hard to hear,” she explained. Yet, she emphasized her ability to stay focused, noting, “I felt like I had most things kind of under control on my side of the court. I just want to stay in my zone.”
The partnership’s early success extends beyond the US Open. At the Cincinnati Open, their first tournament together, Raducanu pushed world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to a third-set tiebreak in a three-hour epic, a significant improvement from her straight-sets loss to Sabalenka at Wimbledon. “I think the biggest milestones are I put a lot of trust in what I’m doing with Francisco on the practice court,” Raducanu said. “I think we’re just working really well, doing the right stuff on the practice court, and I just feel like I’m improving.” Her confidence stems from the daily grind, where she and Roig focus on elevating the quality of her shots. “I’m enjoying getting better, and the process of feeling like at the end of the day I’m satisfied I got a little bit better, and just repeating it,” she added.
Raducanu’s resurgence comes after a challenging period, including wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023 that sidelined her for much of the season. Her recent upswing, marked by a semi-final run at the Washington Open and strong showings in Miami and Queen’s Club, reflects a player rediscovering her rhythm. Roig’s technical expertise, honed during his time with Nadal and later Matteo Berrettini, is helping Raducanu refine her baseline game and serve. “I can definitely improve on the quality of a lot of my shots,” she acknowledged, aiming to compete more consistently against top players.
As Raducanu prepares for her second-round match, the tennis world is abuzz with optimism. Her collaboration with Roig, contracted through the end of 2025, feels like a turning point. With her fitness restored and a renewed sense of joy in her game, Raducanu is poised to make a deep run in New York, a place she once called a “happy place.” The journey ahead is daunting, with potential clashes against elite players looming, but Raducanu’s blend of talent, resilience, and Roig’s steady guidance makes her a formidable contender.
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