Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, stands at a critical juncture as she approaches the final Grand Slam of the 2025 season. The 22-year-old British star, who captured the world’s imagination with her fairy-tale run from qualifier to champion four years ago, is battling to secure a coveted seeding at Flushing Meadows. Currently ranked No. 35 in the WTA Live Rankings, Raducanu’s recent performances have fueled optimism, but her chances of landing among the top 32 seeds hinge on a delicate balance of results and withdrawals. As the tennis world gears up for the US Open, starting August 24, her journey is a compelling mix of resilience, ambition, and the lingering weight of past challenges.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a testament to her resurgence after an injury-plagued 2023 that saw her undergo surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle. Her climb back to the top 35 began with a strong showing at the Australian Open, where she defeated 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova to reach the third round, only to fall to world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Despite early exits in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, her summer campaign on North American hard courts has been promising. A semi-final run at the Citi DC Open and a fourth-round appearance at the Canadian Open boosted her ranking, positioning her as the British No. 1 ahead of Katie Boulter. At the Cincinnati Open, the final event before the US Open seeding cutoff, Raducanu earned a No. 30 seed and a first-round bye, defeating Olga Danilovic in straight sets before facing a grueling third-round battle against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. “It’s always exciting for a player like me to play the very top, because it’s like a fact-finding match,” Raducanu said, reflecting on the matchup. Despite pushing Sabalenka to two tiebreaks in a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5) thriller that lasted over three hours, she fell short, moving up to No. 35 but losing a crucial seeding spot to Veronika Kudermetova’s win over Clara Tauson.
The US Open seeds the top 32 players based on the WTA rankings as of August 18, but withdrawals have opened a window for Raducanu. World No. 7 Zheng Qinwen and No. 12 Paula Badosa have already pulled out due to injuries, bumping players ranked 33rd and 34th into the seeding list. Raducanu, now at No. 35, is next in line, meaning one more withdrawal—potentially from No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, whose participation remains uncertain—could secure her a seed. “I’m just so excited to have him on board, so much experience,” Raducanu said of her new coach, Francisco Roig, whose guidance has bolstered her confidence. Roig, a former mentor to Rafael Nadal, has emphasized her serve and forehand, evident in her competitive showing against Sabalenka, whom she nearly upset at Wimbledon earlier this year. Sabalenka herself praised Raducanu’s trajectory, stating, “She’s improving and getting better, and she definitely gonna get back into the top 10.”
Seeding could be a game-changer for Raducanu, who has struggled against top players, holding a 3-14 record against top-10 opponents and no wins against the top four. A seed would delay encounters with elites like Sabalenka, Swiatek, or Coco Gauff until at least the third round, offering a smoother path to the later stages. However, some argue an unseeded draw might be advantageous, giving her an 81% chance of avoiding the top three before the fourth round. “I would like to play more matches,” Raducanu reflected after her 2024 US Open first-round loss to Sofia Kenin, acknowledging that limited match play hurt her sharpness. Her 2025 campaign, with 10 WTA 1000 main-draw wins—the most by a British player since Johanna Konta in 2016—shows she’s regaining form, but her 0-4 record at Flushing Meadows since 2021 underscores the challenge.
Off the court, Raducanu’s life has been shaped by intense scrutiny and personal challenges, including stalking incidents in 2021 and February 2025 that left her wary of going out alone. “After the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I’ve had,” she shared, highlighting the emotional toll. Yet, her focus remains unwavering, bolstered by Roig’s expertise and her own determination. “I’m a lot calmer behind the court,” she said, expressing confidence not felt since her 2021 triumph. With a potential $5 million payday for a US Open title, as seen in this year’s increased prize money, and a mixed doubles partnership with Carlos Alcaraz adding intrigue, Raducanu’s New York return is poised to be a defining moment. Whether seeded or not, her recent form—praised by Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci as capable of “delivering shock waves”—suggests she’s ready to make waves.
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