As the 2025 US Open unfolds at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Emma Raducanu steps back into the spotlight, ready to reignite the magic that made her a global sensation four years ago. The 22-year-old British star, who stunned the tennis world by winning the 2021 title as a qualifier, faces Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara in the first round on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 8:30 PM IST (11:00 AM EST). Set to take place on the prestigious Louis Armstrong Stadium, this match marks the start of Raducanu’s campaign to reclaim her place among the elite and rekindle her love affair with New York’s hard courts.
Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph was nothing short of historic. At just 18, she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title, defeating Leylah Fernandez in straight sets without dropping a service game throughout the tournament. That victory propelled her from world No. 150 to No. 23, earning her a place in British tennis history alongside Virginia Wade. However, the years since have been turbulent, with first-round exits in 2022 and 2024, and an injury-forced absence in 2023. Now ranked No. 35, Raducanu feels a renewed sense of purpose. “I do feel very different,” she said, reflecting on her return to Flushing Meadows. “Now is the first time I feel like I can come back and really enjoy the memories I made here and see it as a happy place.”
Her opponent, Ena Shibahara, ranked No. 130, is a 27-year-old doubles specialist who has transitioned to singles with notable success. Qualifying for the US Open main draw without dropping a set, Shibahara stunned Varvara Gracheva 6-0, 6-4 in the final qualifying round, showcasing her growing prowess. A former French Open mixed doubles champion in 2022, Shibahara brings versatility, but her singles experience pales in comparison to Raducanu’s. The two met once before at the 2024 Nottingham Open, where Raducanu dominated 6-1, 6-4 on grass. “Raducanu leads the head-to-head 1-0,” analysts note, and this hard-court clash at a neutral Grand Slam venue adds intrigue to their second encounter.
Raducanu’s recent form suggests she’s ready to shine. After a challenging clay-court season, she reached the semifinals in Washington, D.C., defeating top players like Naomi Osaka, and pushed world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to a thrilling three-set battle in Cincinnati, losing 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5). “Pushing Aryna to the top is a great motivation, a great inspiration for me to keep doing it,” she said, highlighting her competitive edge. Under the guidance of new coach Francis Roig, formerly Rafael Nadal’s technical adviser, Raducanu has refined her attacking game. “I can put a lot of trust in Francis leading me through the right steps, the right practices,” she noted, crediting her relaxed mindset to his influence.
The match will be broadcast live in India on the JioStar app and website, with television coverage on Star Sports Network starting at 8:30 PM IST. For UK viewers, Sky Sports Tennis will air the match at 4:00 PM BST, with streaming available via Sky Go. In the US, ESPN and ESPN+ will provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring fans worldwide can witness Raducanu’s return to the court that defined her career. The winner of this clash will face either qualifier Janice Tjen or No. 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova in the second round, a potential stepping stone toward a deeper run.
Raducanu’s journey is about more than just tennis. Born in Toronto to Romanian and Chinese parents and raised in Bromley, England, she embodies a global appeal, speaking three languages and boasting a £13.5 million net worth from endorsements with Nike, Dior, and Tiffany. Her resilience through surgeries and scrutiny has shaped her into a more mature competitor. “I know I’m still relatively young and new in terms of doing the right things over and over, so I want to give myself a lot more time to achieve what I want,” she said, emphasizing her long-term vision. As she steps onto Louis Armstrong Stadium, Raducanu carries the weight of expectation and the freedom of a player rediscovering her joy, ready to write a new chapter in her US Open legacy.
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