Emma Raducanu’s return to form at the 2025 US Open has not only rekindled excitement among tennis fans but also earned high praise from legend Billie Jean King, who declared, “We are really lucky to have her.” The 22-year-old British No. 1, whose fairy-tale 2021 US Open title as a teenage qualifier remains one of the sport’s most iconic moments, showcased her revitalized game in New York, reaching the third round before falling to former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. King’s glowing endorsement, coupled with Raducanu’s spirited performances, underscores the young star’s growing influence as she navigates the highs and lows of her post-championship career.
Raducanu arrived at Flushing Meadows with renewed confidence, having rediscovered her love for the game under the guidance of new coach Francisco Roig, a former member of Rafael Nadal’s team. Her first two matches were a testament to her progress, as she dispatched qualifiers Ena Shibahara (6-1, 6-2) and Janice Tjen (6-2, 6-1) with commanding ease, dropping just six games combined. These victories marked her first wins at the US Open since her 2021 triumph, a milestone she celebrated with visible emotion. “I’m very pleased to have won that match,” Raducanu said after defeating Shibahara. “It’s my first win here since 2021. So it’s extra special.” Her performance against Tjen was particularly dominant, featuring eight aces and a 79% first-serve success rate, which she credited for boosting her overall game. “I thought that I served very well and I put quite a few aces on the board,” she noted. “It always helps me when I’m serving well. It just kind of seeps into the rest of my game.”
Billie Jean King, the 12-time Grand Slam champion and founder of the WTA, was effusive in her praise for Raducanu’s resurgence, highlighting her potential to inspire. “We are really lucky to have her,” King said during an interview at the US Open, where she remains a towering figure at 81. “She’s playing very well, and she’s a great athlete. She’s very smart, and I think she’s going to keep getting better and better.” King, who watched Raducanu’s matches from the stands, emphasized the Brit’s ability to captivate audiences, drawing parallels to her own era of breaking barriers. “It’s wonderful to see someone like Emma, who can make people care about tennis,” she added, noting Raducanu’s role in elevating the sport’s global appeal.
Despite her early dominance, Raducanu’s campaign ended in the third round against Rybakina, who overwhelmed her 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes on August 29. The ninth seed’s powerful serve and relentless groundstrokes—23 winners to Raducanu’s eight—exposed the gap between the Brit and the tour’s elite. “It was a difficult experience facing her when she’s playing so well. I just feel that in every department she was better,” Raducanu admitted post-match. She also offered a candid perspective on the unique pressure she faces as a former champion, suggesting top players bring their best against her. “I think when the very top play against me, they have a point to prove that they’re at the top, and they’re there for a reason,” she said. “Every time I’ve played one, they’ve kind of shown that.”
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a story of rebuilding, with a career-high 26 tour-level wins and a world ranking of No. 36, just shy of the top 30. Her partnership with Roig, bolstered by off-court bonding over Spanish lessons and long car journeys, has brought stability, while chiropractor Jerome Poupel’s unconventional methods—honed working with horses and Formula 1 drivers—have kept her physically sharp. Though her eighth consecutive loss to a top-10 player stung, Raducanu remained focused on the bigger picture. “I need to try my best to not let this match overshadow all the good work I’ve been doing,” she said, eyeing a seeded position at future Grand Slams to avoid early clashes with players like Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, or Aryna Sabalenka.
King’s praise adds a layer of gravitas to Raducanu’s journey, framing her as a cornerstone of tennis’s future. As she prepares for the 2026 season, her performances in New York—described by King as “so much fun to watch”—signal a player rediscovering her spark. With her “happy place” at Flushing Meadows rekindled, Raducanu’s blend of talent, resilience, and charm ensures she remains a force to watch, both for fans and icons like King who see her as a beacon for the sport.
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