Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has returned to London with a striking new hairstyle, marking a vibrant shift in her persona following a challenging exit from the 2025 French Open. The 22-year-old British tennis star, renowned for her resilience and flair, collaborated with celebrated stylist Nicola Noviello at the prestigious Hershesons salon to unveil a chic transformation that has fans buzzing. The makeover, shared by Noviello on Instagram with the caption praising Raducanu’s “beauty, grace, and power on and off the court,” comes as she prepares to pivot to the grass-court season, with her sights set on Wimbledon and a renewed push for tennis glory.
Raducanu’s journey at Roland Garros this year was a tale of grit and disappointment. Despite battling illness, she powered through a grueling first-round match against China’s Wang Xinyu, ranked just two spots below her at No. 43, securing a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory in nearly three hours. “I’m actually really proud of today’s match, more so than a lot of the matches that I played recently,” Raducanu said, reflecting on her determination to overcome sickness that required on-court medical attention, including a blood pressure check. However, her campaign ended abruptly in the second round against the formidable Iga Świątek, the four-time French Open champion nicknamed the “Queen of Clay.” Świątek dominated with a 6-1, 6-2 victory, extending her perfect 5-0 record against Raducanu without dropping a set. “Iga played really well. It was tough,” Raducanu admitted. “I just felt a bit exposed. It was the first time playing on that court [Court Philippe-Chatrier]. It’s a big court, and it’s different and new for me.”
The loss highlighted the gap between Raducanu and the WTA’s elite, particularly on clay, where Świątek’s relentless intensity left little room for error. “She gets really fired up when she plays me,” Raducanu noted, acknowledging the pressure Świątek applies from the outset. Despite the defeat, Raducanu remains optimistic, emphasizing her progress this season. “I think I have made progress since January, maybe not in this match, but in general,” she said. Her 2025 record stands at 13-11 across 11 events, with a standout quarterfinal run at the Miami Open and a fourth-round appearance at the Italian Open, where she fell to world No. 2 Coco Gauff. These results mark a significant step forward for the former world No. 10, who has climbed back to No. 41 after an injury-plagued 2023 and 2024.
Raducanu’s clay season, though inconsistent, showed flashes of her potential. She reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, defeating Angelique Kerber and Linda Nosková before losing to Świątek, and notched wins over Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova in Strasbourg and Rome, respectively. Yet early exits in Madrid and Strasbourg, compounded by a back spasm that required dry needling and heat therapy, underscored the physical and mental toll of the tour. “I think there were positives in the sense that I won a few matches on the surface,” Raducanu reflected. “It’s probably my first proper clay court season I’ve had and played through.”
Off the court, Raducanu’s new look signals a fresh chapter. Her visit to Hershesons, a London hotspot for style transformations, reflects her ability to embrace change amid adversity. The sleek hairstyle, crafted by Noviello, has been hailed as a bold statement of resilience, aligning with her ambassadorial roles for brands like Tiffany & Co., Dior, Vodafone, Porsche, and HSBC. These partnerships, including a $2000-per-session online coaching venture with AirWayz, highlight her growing influence beyond tennis.
As Raducanu shifts focus to the grass courts, her schedule is packed with opportunity. She’s confirmed for the Queen’s Club Championships (June 7-15), a historic WTA event featuring stars like Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff. “To be able to compete at such a wonderful, historic, and iconic event to commence the grass court season is an honour,” said compatriot Katie Boulter, echoing the excitement. Raducanu will also play the German Open in Berlin before Wimbledon (June 30-July 13), where she aims to leverage her aggressive baseline game and world-class backhand, as praised by former British No. 1 Anne Keothavong. Her fourth-round run at Wimbledon in 2024, halted by injury, fuels her determination for a deeper push this year.
Despite setbacks, including a coaching transition from Nick Cavaday to Mark Petchey and a stalking incident at the Dubai Tennis International, Raducanu’s resolve remains unshaken. “I think the way I’ve been going about things has been a lot better and a lot more consistent,” she said, crediting her improved resilience in three-set matches. Her French Open exit earned her €110,000 (approximately $124,251), a 27.9% increase from her 2022 payout, boosting her ranking and confidence. As she prepares for Wimbledon, where a top-32 seeding is within reach, Raducanu’s new hairstyle and renewed focus signal a player ready to redefine her narrative. “There is a big difference as you go up into the top five,” she acknowledged. “I definitely think I can improve certain areas of my game to maybe make me feel like I have less holes.”
With the tennis world watching, Raducanu’s journey from Paris heartbreak to London’s grass courts promises a captivating summer, blending style, grit, and ambition.
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