Emma Raducanu’s journey in professional tennis has been nothing short of fascinating. The British sensation captured the world’s attention in 2021 when, as a teenager, she became the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam at the US Open. But after the euphoria of that extraordinary triumph, Raducanu’s path has been marked by challenges, particularly injuries, which have hampered her ability to maintain a consistent run on the WTA Tour. Looking ahead to 2025, former British No. 1 Tim Henman believes that if Raducanu is to continue her rise in the rankings, there is one area that she must focus on: building physical resilience.
The 2024 Comeback: Signs of Progress and Frustration
After a prolonged injury break that kept her off the tour during the second half of 2023, Raducanu returned to the WTA circuit at the start of 2024. Her comeback was a mixed bag, but there were plenty of encouraging signs. Starting the year at No. 301 in the rankings, the 22-year-old showed glimpses of her 2021 US Open form by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon, securing a semi-final berth at the Nottingham Open, and making it to a couple of quarter-finals throughout the season. These performances helped her steadily rise back up the rankings, finishing the year at No. 58—a solid improvement from her initial position.
However, Raducanu herself has admitted that 2024 was another “stop-start” year, largely due to injury setbacks. Despite showing promise in some of her matches, she was unable to play a full calendar due to recurring physical issues. Her most notable injury came during the Korea Open when she sustained a foot problem, forcing her to miss several important tournaments, including most of the Asia swing. As a result, Raducanu participated in only 13 WTA events in 2024, a stark contrast to the more grueling schedules of some of her rivals.
Henman’s Advice: Physical Resilience is Key
Tim Henman, a former top-5 player and one of Britain’s greatest tennis icons, believes that if Raducanu is to continue her rise up the WTA rankings and achieve greater success in 2025, she must focus on building her physical resilience. Henman pointed out that while Raducanu is undoubtedly a talented player, the physical demands of the tour require a level of stamina, endurance, and robustness that will allow her to play regularly without being sidelined by injury.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Tennis podcast, Henman said, “The challenge for Raducanu is around physical resilience. You talk about Katie Boulter and all the improvements that she made. Yes, she has got better as a tennis player, her movement has improved, but it’s also the resilience to be able to play that full schedule.” Henman compared Raducanu’s situation to that of fellow British player Katie Boulter, who ended 2024 in the top 25 after a strong finish to the season, including a final appearance in Hong Kong. Henman emphasized that Boulter’s success wasn’t just a result of her on-court improvement, but also her ability to stay healthy and play through a packed schedule, which enabled her to gain valuable ranking points throughout the year.
Henman feels that Raducanu’s limited playing time in 2024 has restricted her ability to push for a higher ranking. “Raducanu has had a decent year going from sort of 300 into the top 60, but when you look at the amount of tennis she’s played, she hasn’t played a great deal,” Henman continued. “If she builds up that resilience and plays regularly, every time she steps on the court, she’s playing good tennis. Therefore, top 50, top 30 in 2025, I think is completely realistic.”
Raducanu’s Own Reflections: Acknowledging the Struggles
Raducanu has been open about the struggles she faced in 2024, particularly when it came to maintaining her physical health. Reflecting on her year, she admitted that while she started strong and played some impressive tennis, her body ultimately let her down. She acknowledged that her biggest goal for 2025 would be to stay on the court longer and build the resilience needed to handle a full season of professional tennis.
“I think I started the year off pretty well for the first half, you know, up to Wimbledon. Then I struggled a little bit more with my body, I think physically. Wasn’t able to play the full calendar and stay on court as much as I would have liked,” Raducanu shared in a recent interview. Despite these setbacks, she remained optimistic about her future. “But my assessment is, you know, I think sometimes I need reminding, I’m top 60 in the world and I have played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of, in a way. I have to pat myself on the back for that.”
Raducanu’s humility and self-awareness shine through in her words. She knows that her ranking could have been much higher if not for the injuries, but she also recognizes that her situation is not as dire as it may appear. “I know I’m a dangerous player,” she said, adding, “I know no one wants to pull my name in the draw. I take pride in that, and I’m looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year.”
Aiming for the Top 30 in 2025
Raducanu’s 2024 season ended with a 23-13 win-loss record, a respectable result given her limited time on court. But as Henman pointed out, the key to Raducanu’s future success will be her ability to stay fit and play more regularly in 2025. If she can remain injury-free and build up the physical resilience necessary to endure the rigors of a full season, she could aim for a ranking in the top 30 by the end of next year.
Top 30 would mark a significant milestone for Raducanu, who has been dealing with the pressure of living up to her US Open victory ever since. Although she has yet to replicate the magic of that 2021 win, there is still plenty of time for Raducanu to fulfill her potential. Her raw talent, combined with a renewed commitment to her fitness and health, could see her climbing the rankings in 2025 and beyond.
Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Vision
Raducanu’s ambitions for 2025 extend beyond merely staying healthy; she is determined to improve her game and refine the skills that will allow her to challenge for bigger titles. As she sets her sights on the upcoming season, she knows that the key to reaching the top 30—and perhaps even higher—is maintaining her physical resilience. With that foundation in place, she can focus on developing the consistency and mental strength required to make a sustained push for the upper echelons of the WTA rankings.
For now, Raducanu remains determined, humble, and optimistic about her future. While 2024 was a year of recovery and rebuilding, 2025 could very well be the year she takes the next step in her tennis career. Whether it’s staying healthy enough to compete in more tournaments or continuing to refine her game on the practice courts, Raducanu is eager to prove that her 2021 US Open triumph was not a one-off, but just the beginning of what could be a very successful career.