Emma Raducanu has opened up about the sacrifices she made on her journey to becoming a tennis star, revealing that while she sometimes felt envious of missing out on typical teenage experiences, she has no regrets because she always had her sights set on a bigger goal.
The 21-year-old Brit has often spoken about the strict and demanding approach her parents took in raising her, ensuring that she dedicated herself entirely to school and tennis. Growing up, her daily routine was rigorous—if she wasn’t training, she was focused on her academics. While many young athletes struggle with balancing their social lives and ambitions, Raducanu embraced the challenge. Now, as one of the most recognizable faces in professional tennis and an ambassador for some of the world’s most prestigious brands, she knows it was all worth it.
“There were certain moments where I felt envy—like when there were parties that I couldn’t go to, but at the end of the day, I didn’t know any different,” Raducanu told Women’s Health magazine. “You don’t miss what you don’t know. I knew I wanted to be the best, and I knew what I needed to do to get there, so I didn’t think of it as a sacrifice. Newstead (a girls’ grammar school) is pretty demanding, so it wasn’t like I could take it easy off the court, either. I put all my time into tennis or school, but it was good to have those two different worlds: school and tennis. Each was a break from the other.”
Dealing with Sudden Fame
Raducanu’s life changed dramatically in 2021 when she became the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam, claiming the US Open title as an 18-year-old. Before that summer, she was a promising young player, but her success at Wimbledon—where she reached the round of 16—put her on the radar. However, no one could have predicted just how quickly she would rise to global stardom.
When she returned home following her historic US Open victory, Raducanu was met with a scene she had never experienced before—paparazzi outside her house, waiting to capture a glimpse of Britain’s newest sports sensation.
“I remember pulling up and seeing paparazzi outside my house. It was crazy, but as soon as I went inside to my family and friends, everything felt pretty relaxed. My mum had made dumplings, and we all sat around the table chatting,” she recalled. “I didn’t want to do anything fancy or outrageous, I just wanted to enjoy and spend quality time with people I can really be myself with.”
Learning to Navigate Challenges and Criticism
With success comes scrutiny, and Raducanu has faced her fair share of criticism, especially regarding her injuries and fluctuating form since winning the US Open. The constant analysis of her career, combined with the physical demands of professional tennis, has presented challenges, but the young star has developed a new approach to adversity.
Raducanu suffered a ligament injury in Seoul, forcing her to retire from her quarterfinal match and miss significant tournaments, including WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan. This was particularly disappointing, as Asia is one of her favorite regions to compete in, and she had high hopes for a strong showing in the fall tournaments.
Despite this setback, she remains determined and has adopted a mindset focused on resilience and adaptability.
“There has been a lot of volatility over the past three years. And I think the most I’ve come into myself has been in the last few weeks,” she said. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is non-attachment; acknowledging that everything comes and goes. Every moment is fleeting, and how you interact with the present dictates how you feel, the quality of your work, the quality of your relationships, and how much the people around you enjoy being with you.”
Raducanu also emphasized the importance of reframing challenges rather than seeing them as purely negative.
“I’ve taught myself not to label things as black or white. For example, with this injury, I’m trying to catch myself and stop labeling it as like, ‘Oh, I’m so unlucky, this is so bad.’ I’ve learned to accept things and reframe them. I’m not completely unable to exercise, so I’ll still do things like yoga or Pilates – low-impact exercise, so I’m focusing on that. I’ve matured a lot in the last few weeks, to be honest.”
Looking Ahead
While injuries have sidelined her for now, Raducanu remains hopeful about her return. She has withdrawn from upcoming tournaments in Ningbo and Guangzhou but remains on the list for the WTA 250 event in Hong Kong, starting on October 28th.
For Raducanu, the journey has always been about perseverance, growth, and staying true to herself. Despite missing out on normal teenage experiences, she wouldn’t change a thing. The sacrifices, the challenges, and even the setbacks have all been part of the path that led her to where she is today—a tennis champion with a bright future ahead.
“Everything I’ve done has been for a reason,” she concluded. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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