Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is turning heads at the 2025 Italian Open, where her commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Swiss lucky loser Jil Teichmann has signaled a resurgence on the clay courts of Foro Italico. The 22-year-old Brit, whose career has been a rollercoaster since her historic Grand Slam triumph, showcased power, precision, and newfound stability in Rome, advancing to the third round with a performance that silenced doubters. As she prepares to face world No. 50 Veronika Kudermetova, Raducanu’s focus on maintaining her mindset—“I want to keep the same mindset”—offers a glimpse into her evolving approach to a season fraught with challenges and opportunities.
Raducanu’s journey in Rome began with a grueling first-round battle against Australian teenager Maya Joint, a match that tested her resilience over nearly three hours. Emerging victorious 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3, she carried that momentum into her second-round clash with Teichmann, a former world No. 21 who stepped in after Ekaterina Alexandrova withdrew due to a shoulder injury. Raducanu seized the opportunity, dominating with six aces, facing just one break point, and breaking Teichmann’s serve four times in an 82-minute masterclass. “I am doing that so far, the last two matches, and I just want to keep approaching the match with the same mindset,” she said post-match, emphasizing her commitment to consistency and aggression. Her forehand, once overshadowed by her backhand, was a weapon, with line-hugging winners that left Teichmann scrambling.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Raducanu, who is competing in only her second Italian Open and first since a 2022 injury-forced retirement against Bianca Andreescu. “I still don’t really feel comfortable on clay,” she admitted, acknowledging the physical demands of the surface. “The points are long, the balls do get heavier, and when I was serving it out, it was getting slower and slower, so it is physical but I’m slowly finding my feet.” Her candor reflects a player adapting to the nuances of clay, where her limited experience—only 20 career matches on the surface—has often been a hurdle. Yet, her recent training under fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, who has worked with Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova, has bolstered her physicality, evident in her enhanced lower-body strength and sliding prowess on the red dirt.
Raducanu’s collaboration with coach Mark Petchey, a familiar face from her junior days, has also been pivotal. Though Petchey was absent from her box during the Joint match due to his Tennis Channel commentary duties, he was courtside for the Teichmann win alongside mentor Jane O’Donoghue. “I am not biased but I think he is a great commentator. I love hearing him commentate,” Raducanu said, praising Petchey’s insight. “He is very interesting. He has obviously helped me a lot with everything, with the off court, with everything.” Their work in Los Angeles before the clay season has shifted her focus from technical tweaks to aggressive play, a departure from her past perfectionism. “So we did some really good work as well in LA and I’m really happy with how it’s going,” she added.
This Rome run, her deepest at a WTA 1000 clay event, has propelled Raducanu to No. 45 in the live WTA rankings, closing the gap on British No. 1 Katie Boulter, who fell in the first round to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. A few more wins could see Raducanu reclaim the top British spot and potentially secure a Wimbledon seeding. Her confidence is palpable: “I honestly haven’t practised with a lefty,” she said of adapting to Teichmann’s style, proud of her on-the-fly adjustments. The victory, coupled with her Miami Open quarter-final earlier this year, suggests a player finding stability after a 2025 season marked by eight losses in 18 matches and off-court challenges, including a stalker incident.
As Raducanu eyes a fourth-round clash with top seed Coco Gauff, her Rome campaign is a testament to her resilience and evolving mindset. With a refreshed team, a fitter physique, and a determination to “commit to my shots,” she is rediscovering the fearless form that captivated the tennis world. Rome, with its historic charm and demanding clay, may just be the stage where Raducanu reclaims her place among the elite, one confident swing at a time.
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