As the tennis world descends on the Lindner Family Tennis Center for the 2025 Cincinnati Open, Emma Raducanu is charting a different course. The 2021 US Open champion, now 22, has revealed a refreshingly pragmatic approach to her career, admitting she’s not chasing Grand Slam or WTA 1000 titles at the moment. Instead, the British No. 1 is prioritizing steady progress and rediscovering her love for the game. “Right now, I’m not thinking about winning Slams or winning 1000s,” Raducanu said during a press conference on August 10, 2025, ahead of her second-round match. “I’m just thinking about going out there, playing free, playing my game, enjoying it. I think that will take care of everything else.” Her candid perspective, paired with her recent performances, signals a maturing star ready to rebuild her momentum on her own terms.
Raducanu’s journey since her historic US Open triumph at 18 has been a rollercoaster of injuries, coaching changes, and intense scrutiny. Her 2025 season, with a 19-14 record, reflects a player finding her footing after wrist and ankle surgeries sidelined her for much of 2023. A third-round loss to Amanda Anisimova in Montreal and a first-round Wimbledon exit to Lulu Sun marked setbacks, but Raducanu’s focus remains on long-term growth. “I’m healthy now, my body is good, so I’m able to put in the work and improve each week,” she noted, emphasizing her commitment to consistency over immediate trophies. Her recent 36-hour getaway to Martha’s Vineyard, where she posted, “Spontaneous 36h New England summer fun time w friends in MA,” showcased a lighter side, recharging her for the grueling North American hard-court swing.
In Cincinnati, Raducanu advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Petra Martic, setting up a blockbuster clash with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The matchup, a rematch of their thrilling Wimbledon encounter where Sabalenka edged her 7-6(6), 6-4, promises to test Raducanu’s evolving game. “I’m just excited to compete and see where my level is at,” she said, her enthusiasm buoyed by her wildcard entry into the US Open mixed doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz, a partnership dubbed ‘Alcaranu’ by fans. “We both play our best I think when we’re in a good creative way, we’re enjoying it,” she added, recalling their shared 2021 US Open runs that sparked their friendship. “I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.”
The Cincinnati Open, with its slower courts—a point of contention for players like Alexander Zverev—offers Raducanu a chance to refine her aggressive baseline style. Her decision to skip the 2024 Paris Olympics to focus on fitness has paid dividends, with improved movement and a sharper forehand evident in her recent matches. Yet, her 0-2 head-to-head against Sabalenka looms large, and she’s under no illusions about the challenge. “Aryna’s game is so powerful, but I’m ready to go out there and fight,” she said, her competitive spirit undimmed despite her tempered expectations. Fans have rallied behind her approach, with one social media post declaring, “Emma’s mindset is so refreshing—she’s playing for joy, not pressure!”
Raducanu’s shift in focus comes at a pivotal moment. With the WTA Race to Riyadh heating up, where Sabalenka leads and Swiatek and Gauff chase, Raducanu sits outside the top 20 but remains a wildcard for the US Open’s main draw. Her mixed doubles venture with Alcaraz, set for August 19-20, adds intrigue, with the duo’s chemistry—forged through an Evian ad and mutual admiration—fueling excitement. “She’s going to be the boss,” Alcaraz quipped, hinting at Raducanu’s leadership in their partnership. As she navigates Cincinnati’s challenges and eyes the US Open, Raducanu’s journey is less about chasing titles and more about rediscovering her spark, proving that sometimes, the greatest victories come from playing free and loving the game.
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