Emma Raducanu, the British tennis star who stunned the world with her 2021 US Open victory, faced a stark setback at this year’s tournament in Flushing Meadows. The 22-year-old, returning to New York with high hopes, suffered a crushing 6-1, 6-2 third-round loss to 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on August 30, 2025. This defeat not only disrupted her momentum but also led to a steep drop in her WTA rankings, falling from No. 34 to No. 72, placing her behind Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart as Britain’s No. 3 women’s player. Despite a challenging 2025 season, Raducanu’s determination to reclaim her spot among tennis’ elite remains unwavering.
Raducanu’s return to the US Open, where she triumphed as a teenage qualifier four years ago, carried renewed optimism. After battling injuries and inconsistent form, she showed signs of a comeback, winning more WTA Tour-level matches in 2025 than in any prior season and nearing the top 30. Her first two rounds in New York were dominant, with convincing wins over Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara (6-1, 6-2) and Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen (6-2, 6-1), her first Flushing Meadows victories since 2021. “I’m embracing the pressure and expectation better now,” Raducanu said after defeating Tjen, radiating confidence. However, the third-round matchup against world No. 9 Rybakina revealed the gap to the top tier, as the Kazakh’s powerful groundstrokes and precise returns overwhelmed Raducanu in a swift 62-minute match.
“It was tough facing her at her best—she was stronger in every aspect,” Raducanu admitted, reflecting on Rybakina’s dominance. Her serve, effective in earlier rounds, crumbled under pressure, with four breaks and an early 0-40 deficit setting a challenging tone. “I can’t let this match overshadow my progress,” she said, focusing on her season’s highlights, including a semi-final at the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she beat top-10 players Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari, and a hard-fought three-setter against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati.
The slide to No. 72, worsened by Harriet Dart’s rise to No. 70 after a second-round run, highlights the WTA Tour’s fierce competition. Unseeded at the US Open, Raducanu faced tough draws, a pattern in 2025 with losses to Iga Swiatek (twice), Sabalenka, and Rybakina. “I’m facing top players early because of my ranking,” she noted, adding, “I’ve lost to Iga, Aryna, and Elena, but that’s where I’m at right now.” Despite the setback, she remains positive: “I’m enjoying my tennis overall, and I’m working to become a better player.”
Guided by new coach Francisco Roig, formerly with Rafael Nadal, Raducanu has improved her serve, evident in her early US Open matches. “We’ve made good progress in just three weeks,” she said, praising Roig’s influence. As she gears up for the Asian hard-court swing, starting with the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing on September 24, Raducanu aims to build consistency. With 2.9 million Instagram followers and global stardom adding scrutiny, her resilience stands out. Aiming for a top-30 return and a 2026 Australian Open seeding, Raducanu’s journey to resurgence promises an exciting path forward.
Leave a Reply