As the tennis world turns its attention to Flushing Meadows for the 2025 US Open, British star Emma Raducanu finds herself at a critical juncture in her career. The 2021 US Open champion, whose fairy-tale victory as an 18-year-old qualifier captivated the globe, is staring down the possibility of a significant rankings drop. Currently ranked No. 33 in the WTA standings, Raducanu’s meteoric rise to a career-high No. 10 in July 2022 was fueled by her historic Grand Slam triumph. However, with the points from that victory set to expire, the 22-year-old must deliver a strong performance in New York to maintain her position among the elite or risk a dramatic slide.
Raducanu’s journey since her 2021 US Open win has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Her breakthrough in New York, where she became the first qualifier in the Open era to claim a major singles title, propelled her into the global spotlight. Beating Leylah Fernandez in straight sets without dropping a set throughout the tournament, she earned 2,000 ranking points and surged to No. 23 in the world. Yet, the years that followed were marred by injuries, including wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, which saw her ranking plummet outside the top 200. Despite a promising resurgence in 2025, with 21 tour match victories—her highest single-season tally—and a climb back to No. 33, the pressure is mounting as she returns to the scene of her greatest triumph.
The stakes are high for Raducanu at the 2025 US Open, scheduled from August 25 to September 7. A first-round exit could see her lose the bulk of her 2,000 points from 2021, potentially dropping her outside the top 100. “I think that no matter what I said, I probably did have certain expectations of myself that were probably a bit twisted,” Raducanu reflected in 2022, showing her resilience in the face of pressure. “I genuinely just accept it. Okay, it’s not going to be pretty necessarily or easy, but I’m 100% okay for starting over, to be honest. Like if my ranking plummets to like 1000 or whatever, then I don’t care.” Her candid attitude underscores her determination, but the reality of a rankings slide looms large.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has shown flashes of her championship form. She started the year at the Australian Open, reaching the third round before falling to world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets. A standout performance came at the Miami Open, where she battled past world No. 10 Emma Navarro in a thrilling three-setter, 7-6(8), 2-6, 7-6(3), marking her third career win against a top-10 opponent. “I’d say it’s number one,” Raducanu said of the victory, highlighting its significance given Navarro’s pedigree and the grueling nature of the match. Her run to the semifinals at the Citi Open in Washington, coupled with strong showings at Wimbledon and the Canadian Open, where she reached the third round before losing to Amanda Anisimova, has bolstered her confidence.
Despite these achievements, Raducanu’s path to the US Open has not been without challenges. A back injury forced her to withdraw from the Auckland Open, and early-season losses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar tested her resolve. However, her recent collaboration with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, has sparked optimism. “Yutaka adds another dimension to the way Nick and I work—it has become integrated and connected,” Raducanu noted, emphasizing the impact of her new training regimen on her on-court performance. Her three convincing singles wins at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November 2024, including victories over Jule Niemeier, Rebecca Marino, and Viktória Hrunčáková, further signal her readiness to compete at the highest level.
Off the court, Raducanu has faced personal challenges, including unsettling incidents with stalkers in 2022 and 2025, which have heightened her focus on security. These experiences have made her more cautious, but her resolve remains unshaken. “I know that being a US Open champ, I’m going to somehow pull my way back up there,” she said, reflecting on her growth since her breakout year. Her partnership with coach Mark Petchey, alongside her “old guard” mentor Jane O’Donoghue, has provided stability, helping her navigate the demands of the WTA Tour.
As Raducanu prepares for the Cincinnati Open from August 5-18, her final tune-up before the US Open, she faces a pivotal opportunity to gain momentum. A strong showing could push her into the top 32, securing a seed at Flushing Meadows and a kinder draw. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman believes her potential is boundless if she stays healthy: “If she can stay healthy and competes a lot, the results will come because she’s that good.” With no points to defend from last year’s early exit, Raducanu has a chance to surge up the rankings. The tennis world watches eagerly to see if the British star can recapture her 2021 magic and silence doubters with a deep run in New York.
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