Emma Raducanu has opened up about the struggles she has faced since her historic US Open triumph three years ago, highlighting the challenges that have followed her meteoric rise to stardom.
For Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu, what started as a fairy-tale moment in New York in 2021 has since been overshadowed by a series of setbacks, injuries, and inconsistencies that have made it difficult for her to regain the form that took her to the top. The past few years have tested her resilience, both physically and mentally, as she continues to navigate the complexities of professional tennis at the highest level.
Raducanu’s 2023 season was particularly brutal, as injuries took a significant toll on her performance. The young star was forced to undergo three separate surgeries—two on her wrists and one on her ankle—leading to an extended period away from the court. These physical challenges not only halted her momentum but also raised questions about her ability to return to the elite level of the sport.
Despite a promising return on grass courts earlier this year, Raducanu made the difficult decision to skip the Paris Olympics. Instead, she opted to focus on preparing for the hard-court season, believing that prioritizing her long-term fitness and career stability was the best approach. However, her refusal to participate in the qualifying rounds for major tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati proved to be a costly decision, as it resulted in an early exit at the US Open, where she fell in the first round. This decision drew criticism from former players, including Andy Roddick, who questioned her strategy and reluctance to battle through the qualifying rounds.
Adding to her struggles, Raducanu recently suffered another setback when she was forced to retire mid-match against Daria Kasatkina due to a lingering foot injury. The injury, sustained in a previous round, failed to improve, leaving her unable to continue. The incident further compounded the difficulties she has faced since her US Open victory, as each new setback serves as a reminder of how challenging it is to maintain success at the top level.
Reflecting on the highs and lows of her career, Raducanu recently spoke to Women’s Health magazine about how she has tried to cope with the turbulence that has defined her journey since 2021. She admitted that the past three years have been filled with volatility but believes she has finally begun to come into her own in recent weeks.
“There has been a lot of volatility over the past three years,” Raducanu said. “And I think the most I’ve come into myself has been in the last few weeks. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is non-attachment—acknowledging that everything comes and goes. Every moment is fleeting, and how you interact with the present dictates how you feel, the quality of your work, the quality of your relationships, and how much the people around you enjoy being with you.”
The 21-year-old has also changed her perspective on dealing with setbacks, particularly injuries. Rather than viewing them in a negative light, she has learned to reframe them as part of the journey.
“I’ve taught myself not to label things as black or white,” she explained. “For example, with this injury, I’m trying to catch myself and stop labelling it as like, ‘Oh, I’m so unlucky, this is so bad.’ I’ve learned to accept things and reframe them. I’m not completely unable to exercise, so I’ll still do things like yoga or Pilates—low-impact exercise, so I’m focusing on that. I’ve matured a lot in the last few weeks, to be honest.”
Despite the setbacks, there are still positives to take away from Raducanu’s journey this year. While injuries and form struggles have dominated the narrative, the Brit has steadily climbed the rankings. Earlier in the year, she recorded a significant milestone by securing her first victory over a top-10 player. Though her ranking remains just outside the top 50, she continues to show glimpses of the talent that propelled her to Grand Slam glory.
Currently, Raducanu sits just behind Katie Boulter as Britain’s number two, and she has an opportunity to make further strides in the coming months. One major event on her schedule is the Billie Jean King Cup finals in November, where she played a crucial role in helping Great Britain reach this stage with a standout performance against France.
As Raducanu continues her recovery and aims to rebuild her confidence, she remains focused on the long-term goal of getting back to competing at the highest level. While the road has been anything but smooth, she has shown a remarkable ability to adapt, learn, and grow from every challenge she faces.
Though the past three years have tested her in ways she never expected, Emma Raducanu’s journey is far from over. With patience, perseverance, and a renewed mindset, she has the potential to return to the top of the game. For now, she must focus on regaining her fitness and form, but given her talent and determination, there is little doubt that she will once again be a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.
Leave a Reply