As the iconic grass courts of Wimbledon beckon, Emma Raducanu, Britain’s brightest tennis star, is embracing a new mindset inspired by a poignant confession from former world number one Ana Ivanovic. At just 22, Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is determined to rediscover the joy that propelled her to global stardom, drawing from Ivanovic’s reflections on her own career. With a nagging back injury, a recent stalking incident, and the weight of expectations at her home Grand Slam, Raducanu’s resolve to savor every moment on the court is a testament to her resilience and maturity, setting the stage for an emotional return to SW19.
Raducanu burst onto the scene in 2021, captivating the tennis world as an 18-year-old wildcard who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and later clinched the US Open as a qualifier—the first to do so in the Open Era. Her infectious smile and fearless play won hearts, but the years since have been turbulent, marked by injuries to her knee, ankle, and back, as well as a revolving door of coaches. Now, as she prepares to face 17-year-old British talent Mimi Xu in her Wimbledon opener, Raducanu is channeling a renewed perspective, sparked by Ivanovic’s candid words. “I was actually listening to Ana Ivanovic say the same thing, she said she wished she had enjoyed it more,” Raducanu shared. “Sometimes I want to go into the future and think: Oh my God, am I going to regret not enjoying this moment?”
Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champion, retired in 2016 at 29, citing persistent injuries as a key factor. Her reflections on wishing she had savored her career more deeply resonated with Raducanu, who at 22 is acutely aware of how fleeting a tennis career can be. “I want to just really embody just having a good time and joy,” Raducanu confessed. “I think I’ve really recently realized that what we do, it’s for such a short amount of time, and it will go before we know it.” This realization has shifted her focus from chasing perfection to embracing consistency and happiness, both on and off the court. “I’m 22 now, so I’m like living for that person to not have any regrets to look back on,” she added, her voice carrying a mix of determination and vulnerability.
The pressure of Wimbledon, where Raducanu is the British number one and a fan favorite, is undeniable. Her 2021 debut, where she defeated top-100 players like Marketa Vondrousova and Sorana Cirstea, remains a career highlight. “Not much beats the buzz of winning at Wimbledon,” she said, acknowledging the unique thrill of playing at home. Yet, she’s candid about the nerves that come with it: “At the same time, you do feel a bit of pressure, you do feel nervous, but in a good way.” To channel this energy, Raducanu relies on a trusted inner circle, led by coach Mark Petchey, who guided a young Andy Murray and trained with her during the 2020 pandemic. “To have those moments where you open up and show a bit of vulnerability, you only want to do that with people you can trust,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of her team in navigating the spotlight.
Off the court, Raducanu is finding balance through new passions, like an art history course she recently started, which fuels her creativity. Her visits to Oxford University with fellow player Francesca Jones and outings to cafes reflect her desire to live fully beyond tennis. This balance is crucial as she faces challenges, including a back injury that forced her withdrawal from the Berlin Open and a disturbing stalking incident that led to a restraining order against a fan. Yet, her spirit remains unbroken. “At times it just felt like I couldn’t speak out because I didn’t want what I said to be shared and spoken about and gossiped,” she admitted, revealing how she’s learning to express herself freely again.
Raducanu’s journey at Wimbledon 2025 is about more than titles—it’s about rediscovering the joy that made her a star. Ivanovic’s words have lit a spark, reminding her to play with a smile, just as she did in 2021. As she steps onto the grass, with the home crowd roaring, Raducanu is poised to write a new chapter, one defined by resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to living without regrets.
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