Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis sensation, is igniting excitement at the 2025 Italian Open in Rome, where her recent performances signal a thrilling resurgence. Fresh off a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann in the second round, Raducanu has revealed the tactical approach she plans to carry forward in the tournament, offering a glimpse into her strategy for conquering the clay courts of Foro Italico. “I think more of the same basic principles,” she shared in a post-match interview. “I think doing the basics has gotten me to this point.” This focus on fundamentals, paired with her growing confidence on clay, positions Raducanu as a formidable contender as she aims for her first title since her historic 2021 US Open triumph.
Raducanu’s journey in Rome began with a grueling first-round win over Australian qualifier Maya Joint, a 19-year-old rising star ranked No. 78. The three-set battle, which ended 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3 after nearly three hours, tested Raducanu’s resilience. Trailing 4-2 in the first set and serving for the match at 5-4 in the second, she faced a spirited comeback from Joint, who dominated the tiebreak. Undeterred, Raducanu surged to a 5-0 lead in the deciding set, ultimately closing out the match despite a late rally from her opponent. “It was a really hard battle,” she said, praising Joint’s aggressive play. “The overall level of the match was really high, and she’s flown up the rankings. I think she’s gonna go up really fast.” The victory, her first in Rome after a 2022 retirement, boosted her confidence on a surface she’s still mastering.
The Teichmann match showcased Raducanu’s evolving game. Originally set to face No. 21 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, she adapted swiftly when Alexandrova withdrew due to a shoulder injury, leaving Teichmann, a lucky loser from qualifying, as her opponent. Raducanu’s six aces, including a match-sealing strike, and her ability to face just one break point highlighted her improved serve and forehand. “If you look at my serve now compared to Australia, compared to the Middle East, even Miami, I changed it after Miami with some tweaks,” she explained. “I’m trying to make it a bit more fluid, a bit longer, so it’s hopefully more robust under pressure.” Her forehand, once overshadowed by her backhand, now controls points from the baseline, a shift noted by pundits like Marion Bartoli, who praised her gym work for enhancing her clay-court movement.
Raducanu’s tactical plan emphasizes consistency and aggression, refined under the guidance of part-time coach Mark Petchey and long-term mentor Jane O’Donoghue. Petchey, absent during the Joint match due to Tennis Channel commentary duties, was courtside for Teichmann, offering tactical insights despite their unconventional setup. “Petch, I think was on comms of my match, so I hope he was nice to me,” Raducanu joked after her first-round win. Her approach, as she outlined, relies on sticking to “basic principles”—executing powerful groundstrokes, attacking second serves, and maintaining mental composure. This strategy paid dividends against Teichmann’s left-handed style, which Raducanu hadn’t practiced against. “I honestly haven’t practised with a lefty,” she admitted, proud of her quick adjustments.
Now in the third round, Raducanu faces Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, a former Rome finalist ranked No. 50, in a match that could propel her to the last 16 and closer to overtaking Katie Boulter as British No. 1. Currently No. 45 in the live WTA rankings, Raducanu is riding a wave of seven wins in nine matches since Miami, a stark contrast to earlier struggles, including a four-match losing streak. Her physical preparation, bolstered by fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, has fortified her for clay’s demands. “When you’re sliding all over the place, you need to get your legs extremely strong,” Bartoli noted, crediting Raducanu’s lower-body strength.
As Raducanu eyes a deep run, her mindset reflects a balance of ambition and pragmatism. A potential fourth-round clash with Coco Gauff looms, but she remains focused on daily progress. “I feel there’s so much more room to grow,” she said, hinting at her untapped potential. With Roland Garros approaching, Raducanu’s tactical clarity and rediscovered joy—evident in her smiles and crowd engagement—signal a player ready to rewrite her clay-court narrative and reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
Leave a Reply