Emma Raducanu has returned to Flushing Meadows with a renewed sense of purpose, storming through the early rounds of the 2025 US Open with a display of tennis that harks back to her fairy-tale triumph in 2021. The 22-year-old British No. 1, who captivated the tennis world by winning the title as a qualifier four years ago, has kicked off her 2025 campaign with two commanding victories, dropping just six games across four sets. Yet, as she prepares to face former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the third round, Raducanu has made it clear that her sights are set on progress, not necessarily another Grand Slam trophy.
Raducanu’s opening match against Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara was a statement of intent. In just 62 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium, she dispatched the world No. 128 with a 6-1, 6-2 scoreline, marking her first US Open win since her historic 2021 run. The match showcased her aggressive baseline play and a rediscovered confidence, as she opened with an ace and maintained relentless pressure. “Of course, I’m very, very pleased to have won that match. It’s my first win here since 2021, so it’s extra special,” Raducanu said, her voice carrying a mix of relief and excitement. The victory was not just a milestone but a sign of her growing comfort at a venue where she once struggled to recapture her magic.
Her second-round performance was even more emphatic. Facing Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen, who had upset 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova in the first round, Raducanu delivered a 6-2, 6-1 masterclass in exactly one hour. Her serve was a standout weapon, firing eight aces and conceding just seven points on her delivery in the first set. “I thought that I served very well and I put quite a few aces on the board,” she noted. “It always helps me when I’m serving well. It just kind of seeps into the rest of my game.” Raducanu’s precision groundstrokes and tactical acumen overwhelmed Tjen, whose crafty style, modeled after former world No. 1 Ash Barty, couldn’t find an answer to the Brit’s relentless pace.
Despite her dominant start, Raducanu remains grounded about her ambitions. When asked about her goals for the tournament, she was candid: “Of course, if I’m going to want to win a Grand Slam, you have to beat all the players in the draw, but I don’t think, right now, that’s my goal or my objective. I’m not trying to win the tournament, to be honest.” Instead, her focus is on incremental improvement and testing herself against the best. “I’m just working on doing everything I can as best as possible and putting level on the court,” she explained. This mindset reflects a maturity forged through challenges, including injuries and tough draws against top players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka earlier this year.
Raducanu’s next challenge is a formidable one: a third-round clash with Elena Rybakina, the ninth seed known for her powerful serve and booming groundstrokes. The two have faced off only once before, in 2022, when Rybakina handed Raducanu a 6-0, 6-1 defeat in Sydney. But Raducanu is undaunted, drawing confidence from recent competitive matches against Sabalenka. “She’s been at the top of the game for so long and very dominant and has big weapons,” Raducanu said of Rybakina. “So I do want to see how my game suits and fits against the top. I still think I have a long way to go, but I have been making steps towards getting closer and narrowing that gap.” Their recent doubles partnership in Washington has also fostered a camaraderie, with Raducanu noting, “It’s great to play with a player like her.”
Under the guidance of new coach Francisco Roig, who spent two decades with Rafael Nadal, Raducanu has found a sense of calm and structure. “There is a big element of calm assurance in the matches,” she said, crediting Roig’s experience. This stability has translated into a career-best consistency, with Raducanu climbing back toward the world’s top 30. Her red outfit, a nod to her unbeaten 8-0 record in matches (and 16-0 in sets) at Flushing Meadows when wearing the color, adds a quirky layer of confidence. As she prepares for Rybakina, Raducanu’s focus remains clear: not a title, but a chance to measure her progress against the elite. “I’m happy—I think I’m embracing the pressure and expectation a lot more now,” she said, signaling a player rediscovering her joy in the game.
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