Emma Raducanu, the British tennis sensation whose 2021 US Open victory turned her into a global icon, has a knack for keeping fans on their toes, both with her powerful forehands and her off-court charisma. In the summer of 2022, as she geared up to defend her historic Grand Slam title in New York, the 19-year-old pulled off a mischievous stunt that left her inner circle buzzing. “I told all my friends I was going blonde, just to see their reactions,” she confessed with a playful grin during a glamorous photoshoot for ES Magazine at Wimbledon’s Hotel du Vin Cannizaro House, lounging on plush pillows. The quip, delivered with her trademark wit, revealed a lighter side of Raducanu—a young woman navigating stardom with a sense of humor, even as the weight of expectations loomed large.
The blonde prank wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment jest; it was a nod to Raducanu’s craving for transformation amid a whirlwind life change. Her fairy-tale run at the 2021 US Open, where she became the first qualifier to win a major by defeating Leylah Fernandez in straight sets, had catapulted her from obscurity to fame at just 18. Born in Toronto to a Romanian father, Ian, and a Chinese mother, Renee, before settling in Bromley, Kent, at age two, Raducanu’s multicultural roots fostered a resilience that defined her meteoric rise. “I went into the salon wanting a change,” she admitted, hinting at a desire to reflect her transformed identity with a bold new look. But the blonde bombshell reveal was more about gauging her friends’ reactions than committing to a drastic overhaul. To her chagrin, they barely flinched. “They weren’t surprised,” she said with a mock sigh, as if her Grand Slam heroics had already desensitized them to surprises, even one as bold as a platinum mane.
This playful moment came at a critical juncture. As Raducanu prepared for the 2022 US Open, the pressure of defending her title was palpable. Her ascent had brought endorsements from global giants like Nike, Dior, and Tiffany & Co., with analysts predicting she could become the first female athlete to amass a billion-dollar fortune. Yet, fame came with scrutiny. Critics questioned whether her off-court commitments were diluting her focus, a charge she dismissed with defiance. “I’m doing a post in the car, heading to training, and read that: I don’t focus on tennis!?” she once scoffed, her frustration laced with determination. The blonde prank was her way of reclaiming control, a cheeky reminder that she was still a young woman finding her way beneath the spotlight’s glare.
While the full blonde transformation never materialized, Raducanu did opt for a subtle shift at John Frieda’s elite Margaret Street salon in London. Master colorist John Clark employed his signature “glow lights” technique to elevate her dark brunette locks into a radiant, multi-tonal shade. “I used the #glowlights technique to lift her naturally very dark base to a multi-tonal brunette with lighter areas around the face and where the sunshine would naturally make it shimmer,” Clark shared on social media, describing how he avoided harsh bleaching for a natural, sun-kissed effect. The result, reminiscent of styles crafted for icons like Kate Moss, gave Raducanu a vibrant, summery glow that mirrored her infectious energy without overshadowing her authenticity. It was a far cry from the platinum she’d teased, but it perfectly balanced her desire for reinvention with her grounded persona.
Life in London presented its own challenges for Raducanu. Raised in Bromley, she loved the city’s pulse, from Borough Market’s bustle to Notting Hill’s charm. But fame made blending in tough. “Not really. More recently, I’ve struggled a bit. I think it’s my hair,” she joked, suggesting her distinctive locks betrayed her anonymity. The blonde prank doubled as a humorous bid to dodge the public eye, a lighthearted nod to her struggle to roam freely. As an only child, she often felt the weight of solitude. “I always wished I had siblings because it can get very lonely,” she reflected, yet credited her parents’ focus for fueling her costly tennis dreams. Her mother, Renee, instilled optimism, while her father, Ian, used reverse psychology. “My dad’s method was very different, basically the opposite,” she explained. “He told me that I couldn’t do this and that, and then I wanted to prove him wrong so badly.” This dynamic drove her to become the youngest British woman to win a major since Virginia Wade in 1977.
By 2025, Raducanu’s career has weathered storms. Injuries—wrist, ankle, and back issues—tested her grit, forcing her to miss significant time. Yet, her third-round showing at the 2025 US Open, her best Grand Slam run since 2021, signals a resurgence. Now ranked No. 34 in the WTA, she’s climbing back toward the elite. The blonde prank remains a delightful anecdote, showcasing her ability to find joy amid pressure. Whether she’s smashing aces or teasing a hair color switch, Raducanu keeps the world captivated, her journey a blend of tenacity, talent, and a touch of mischief that promises more chapters to come.
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