Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is quietly carving a path back to tennis stardom, climbing the WTA rankings with a renewed sense of purpose in 2025. The 22-year-old Brit, now ranked No. 33, has ascended another rung on the global ladder, moving up one spot after a promising US Open campaign. This steady ascent marks a significant turnaround for Raducanu, who began the year at No. 60 and has battled injuries and inconsistent form since her historic Grand Slam triumph. Meanwhile, her compatriot Sonay Kartal has endured a starkly different fate, plummeting 29 places to No. 79 in a dramatic rankings slide, underscoring the contrasting fortunes of Britain’s top female players.
Raducanu’s journey this season has been one of resilience and redemption. After a challenging 2022, where her title defense at Flushing Meadows ended in a first-round loss to Alize Cornet, she saw her ranking tumble from a career-high No. 11 to No. 83. Injuries, including surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in 2023, sidelined her for much of that year, but 2025 has been a story of resurgence. With a 26-18 record, including a 15-10 mark on hard courts, Raducanu has shown flashes of her championship form. Her US Open run, where she reached the third round before falling to world No. 10 Elena Rybakina in a swift 62-minute match, was a testament to her progress. “I see the progress I’m making on the practice court,” Raducanu said after her commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Ena Shibahara in the first round, a performance that saw her make just six unforced errors.
Her recent climb to No. 33, following a two-spot jump to No. 34 post-US Open, positions her tantalizingly close to the top 32, a threshold that would secure a seeded spot at the 2026 Australian Open. Raducanu’s season highlights include a semifinal appearance at the WTA 500 in Washington and competitive showings against top players like Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon and Cincinnati. “She’s playing much better. She’s more consistent,” Sabalenka remarked after their Wimbledon clash, noting Raducanu’s mental strength and growing confidence. With her fitness issues largely behind her and a new coaching partnership with Mark Petchey since March, Raducanu is rediscovering the joy of the game, evident in her spirited performances and positive demeanor.
In contrast, Sonay Kartal, the 23-year-old from Brighton, has faced a torrid week. Her rankings freefall from No. 50 to No. 79 comes after a lackluster US Open, where she failed to advance beyond the early rounds. Kartal, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon—the deepest run among British women—had been a rising star, briefly holding the British No. 3 spot. Her aggressive style and powerful groundstrokes earned her a career-high ranking earlier this year, but recent struggles have dimmed her momentum. The 29-place drop reflects the volatility of the WTA rankings, where consistent results are crucial to maintaining position.
Raducanu’s next challenge is the Korea Open, where she faces Jaqueline Cristian in the first round. Opting out of the Billie Jean King Cup tie against Japan to prioritize ranking points, Raducanu is fewer than 40 points from a top-32 spot. “Raducanu has silenced her critics with solid performances this year,” an analyst noted, praising her offensive baseline play. Her 64.1% first-serve win percentage and 5.2 aces per match give her an edge on Seoul’s hard courts, where she reached the semifinals in 2022. Kartal, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle to regain her footing, with upcoming tournaments offering a chance to halt her slide.
The tale of Raducanu and Kartal highlights the highs and lows of professional tennis. For Raducanu, each match is a step toward reclaiming her place among the elite, her prospects brightening with every victory. “I’m getting there,” she said, reflecting on her steady climb. Kartal, however, must navigate the frustration Raducanu once felt, seeking to rebuild confidence and consistency. As the Asian swing unfolds, all eyes will be on Raducanu to continue her ascent and on Kartal to reverse her fortunes in a fiercely competitive field.
Leave a Reply