In the sun-drenched courts of Eastbourne, England, a story of resilience and determination is unfolding as Emma Raducanu, Britain’s tennis darling, prepares for her comeback at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, starting June 23, 2025. The 22-year-old former US Open champion has overcome a nagging back injury that threatened to derail her grass-court season, declaring herself fit for the WTA 500 event, a critical tune-up before Wimbledon begins on June 30. Raducanu’s return to the south coast, where she made waves last year by toppling top-10 player Jessica Pegula, is a testament to her grit and a beacon of hope for British tennis fans. “It’s been lingering for the last few weeks and I have had back issues before,” Raducanu said after a recent setback. “I think it’s just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it.”
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a battle against physical challenges. Since May, a recurring back problem, first evident during the Strasbourg tournament, forced her to take cautious steps. The issue flared up again in her quarter-final loss to Zheng Qinwen at Queen’s Club, where she required an off-court medical timeout during a 6-2, 6-4 defeat. Opting for recovery over competition, Raducanu skipped the Berlin Open, despite a wildcard offer, to prioritize her fitness for Wimbledon. “I’m not overly concerned that it’s something serious, but I know it’s something that’s very annoying and needs proper and careful management,” she explained, showcasing her pragmatic approach to a career often tested by injuries. Her decision to rest has paid dividends, with the British number one now ready to tackle Eastbourne’s competitive draw.
Seeded seventh, Raducanu faces a formidable path at the Eastbourne Open, a tournament renowned for its role in preparing players for Wimbledon’s slick grass courts. Her first-round opponent is American Ann Li, ranked world No. 65, a player whose steady baseline game could test Raducanu’s mobility. A victory would set up a potential second-round clash with two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur, whose crafty style thrives on grass. Further down the line, defending champion Daria Kasatkina, the world No. 16, looms as a possible quarter-final foe, fresh off her 2024 title win over Donna Vekic. Raducanu’s past success at Eastbourne, where she reached the quarter-finals last year, offers a blueprint for success. Her 2024 upset of Pegula, a top-10 scalp, propelled her to the fourth round at Wimbledon, a career-best on grass. “I’m pretty happy I used that time 100% between Roland Garros and Wimbledon,” she reflected last year, a strategy she’s replicating in 2025.
The Eastbourne draw is stacked with British talent, including Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Sonay Kartal, and Mingge Xu, but all eyes are on Raducanu, whose 2021 US Open triumph at 18 remains a defining moment. Her presence alongside stars like Barbora Krejcikova and Kasatkina underscores the tournament’s prestige, with qualifying matches starting over the weekend and the main draw culminating in the finals on June 28. For Raducanu, Eastbourne is more than a warm-up; it’s a chance to reassert her place among the elite. Her grass-court record, though not as dominant as her hard-court prowess, shows promise—last year’s 75% first-serve points won against Pegula highlighted her growing comfort on the surface.
Raducanu’s journey has also captured attention beyond her on-court exploits. Her recent appearance at Carlos Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club semifinal, where she cheered from the stands, sparked buzz about their upcoming US Open mixed doubles partnership. “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me,” Alcaraz said, noting her thoughtful response. Their “Alcaranu” pairing, set for August 19-20, adds a layer of excitement to Raducanu’s season, blending competitive ambition with camaraderie. Her candidness about her back issues, coupled with her determination to manage them, has endeared her to fans, who see her as a fighter undeterred by setbacks. “I know it’s something that’s very annoying and needs proper and careful management,” she reiterated, a mantra that guides her meticulous preparation.
As Wimbledon looms, Raducanu’s Eastbourne campaign is a pivotal moment. A strong showing could propel her ranking, currently outside the top 30, and silence doubters who question her consistency post-2021. With Sky Sports broadcasting in the UK and Tennis Channel in the US, fans worldwide will watch as she navigates a draw that tests her physical and mental resolve. Raducanu’s story is one of talent tempered by adversity, and her return to Eastbourne is a bold statement: Britain’s brightest star is ready to shine again, back pain be damned.
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