Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open victory was a defining moment in tennis history, a breathtaking ascent for an 18-year-old qualifier who captivated the world. Storming through Flushing Meadows without dropping a set, she defeated Leylah Fernandez in the final to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, etching her name alongside legends. Yet, the whirlwind of fame, endorsements, and pressure that followed tested her resilience. Tennis icon Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, believes that historic triumph “threw her off for a while,” as Raducanu grappled with the challenges of stardom, injuries, and sky-high expectations.
At the time of her US Open triumph, Raducanu was ranked No. 150, a virtual unknown who powered through 10 matches, including qualifiers, to claim the title. “It’s a miracle,” Evert said, marveling at how “a kid no one had ever heard of until a couple of weeks ago” became a global sensation. The victory catapulted her to No. 23 in the WTA rankings, overtaking Johanna Konta as Britain’s top woman player. But the sudden spotlight brought intense scrutiny. “Her whole life changed,” Evert reflected. “She had never experienced fame before, not experienced fortune before, not experienced that much attention, and I think it just threw her off there for a while.” Endorsements with brands like Nike, Wilson, and Tiffany & Co. poured in, amplifying her profile but also fueling debates about her focus.
The years following 2021 were turbulent. Injuries, including wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, sidelined Raducanu, and her ranking plummeted to No. 185 by 2024. Inconsistent performances drew criticism, with some questioning whether she prioritized endorsements over tennis. Evert, however, stood firmly in her corner. In 2022, she tweeted, “And the doubters think Emma is more focused on endorsements and appearances? I don’t think so…” Evert sympathized with the physical toll, saying, “She’s a young lady that has been injured so many times. I just feel so bad for these players that just keep getting out of the game.” The pressure of being a Grand Slam champion at such a young age, combined with a “target on her back” as opponents studied her game, made her journey even tougher.
In 2025, Raducanu began to reclaim her spark. With new coach Mark Petchey, a former player known for his tactical insight, she reached the Miami Open quarterfinals—her best WTA 1000 result—defeating eighth seed Emma Navarro. She also advanced to the fourth round in Madrid, signaling a return to form. “I think she’s playing better with Mark Petchey. I think he’s very knowledgeable,” Evert said, noting Raducanu’s renewed intensity. “You can see it in her eyes that she’s 100 per cent committed this time around.” Evert believes Raducanu is destined for the top 10 but urged her to add “a little bit more power, coming into the net, just working a little bit harder” to compete with the elite.
Raducanu’s technical strengths—her sound serve, groundstrokes, and movement—impressed Evert, who said, “I like her technique—it’s very sound.” Yet, she emphasized that hunger is key: “She’s got talent, but how much does she want it? Is she chomping at the bit to win another one?” Raducanu’s mental fortitude, evident in her calm under pressure during the 2021 US Open, remains a cornerstone. “The calmness and mental strength definitely comes from my upbringing,” Raducanu said, crediting her parents for instilling resilience. Though she didn’t face top-10 players in her US Open run, her ability to handle the moment was undeniable.
Evert, who won her first major at 19, understands Raducanu’s post-Grand Slam struggles. “It’s so human to have a little bit of a downfall after you win your first Grand Slam,” she said. As Raducanu prepares for the 2025 French Open, her recent performances suggest she’s ready to silence doubters. With Petchey’s guidance and a renewed focus, she’s poised to prove her US Open triumph was the start of a lasting legacy.
# Emma Raducanu’s Resurgence: Rising Above the US Open Spotlight
## A Fairytale Victory
In 2021, 18-year-old Emma Raducanu stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open as a qualifier, defeating Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in the final without dropping a set across 10 matches. “It’s a miracle,” Chris Evert said, amazed that “a kid no one had ever heard of” became “the biggest name in sport.” The win vaulted Raducanu to No. 23 in the WTA rankings, surpassing Johanna Konta as Britain’s top woman player.
## The Burden of Stardom
The victory brought fame, endorsements from Nike, Wilson, and Tiffany & Co., and intense pressure. “Her whole life changed,” Evert noted. “She had never experienced fame before, not experienced fortune before, not experienced that much attention, and I think it just threw her off there for a while.” Injuries, including 2023 wrist and ankle surgeries, and a drop to No. 185 in 2024 compounded her challenges.
## Facing the Critics
Critics questioned Raducanu’s commitment amid her endorsement deals, but Evert defended her, tweeting in 2022, “And the doubters think Emma is more focused on endorsements and appearances? I don’t think so…” She highlighted the toll of injuries: “She’s a young lady that has been injured so many times. I just feel so bad for these players that just keep getting out of the game.”
## A 2025 Comeback
Under coach Mark Petchey, Raducanu roared back in 2025, reaching the Miami Open quarterfinals—beating Emma Navarro—and the Madrid Open fourth round. “I think she’s playing better with Mark Petchey,” Evert said. “You can see it in her eyes that she’s 100 per cent committed this time around.” Evert predicts a top-10 return, urging Raducanu to add “a little bit more power, coming into the net, just working a little bit harder.”
## Talent and Hunger
Evert praises Raducanu’s “very sound” technique and movement but stresses, “She’s got talent, but how much does she want it? Is she chomping at the bit?” Raducanu credits her parents for her composure: “The calmness and mental strength definitely comes from my upbringing.” Her 2021 US Open run showcased her mental strength, even without facing top-10 opponents.
## A Bright Future
“It’s so human to have a little bit of a downfall after you win your first Grand Slam,” Evert said, relating to Raducanu’s journey. As the 2025 French Open approaches, Raducanu’s recent results suggest she’s ready to reclaim her place among the elite, proving her US Open win was just the beginning.
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