As the red clay of the 2025 season beckons, Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis sensation, stands at a crossroads. Her journey since the 2021 US Open triumph has been a rollercoaster of injuries, coaching changes, and off-court challenges, but a new voice of wisdom has emerged to steer her forward. Former British No. 1 Laura Robson, now a respected figure in tennis circles, has shared insightful advice for Raducanu, urging her to embrace the clay season as a chance to unlock her potential. With the Madrid Open looming, Robson’s words, delivered at a Sky Sports event on April 20, 2025, resonate as a beacon for Raducanu’s quest to reclaim her place among the WTA elite.
Robson, who retired in 2022 after a career marred by injuries, sees untapped promise in Raducanu on clay, a surface where the 2021 US Open champion has historically struggled. With only seven clay tournaments under her belt and a 7-7 record, Raducanu has openly admitted her discomfort on the dirt, once confessing it’s not her favorite surface. Yet, Robson believes the slower, tactical nature of clay could be a game-changer for the world No. 47. “I’m sure Emma would like to do well on clay and grass this year and play a full schedule,” Robson said. “Clay is great for developing all areas of the game. Tactically, it’s a great surface to learn how to turn around matches when you are behind in slower conditions.” Her advice highlights clay’s unique demands—patience, adaptability, and strategic shot-making—qualities Raducanu has shown in flashes but needs to harness consistently.
Raducanu’s clay season was set to begin at the Rouen Open, but she withdrew, opting instead to debut in Madrid, where she arrived over the weekend. The Madrid Open, known for its high-altitude conditions that quicken the clay, favors big hitters like Raducanu, whose powerful groundstrokes could shine. Robson emphasized the variability of clay courts, noting, “Clay conditions change so much depending on the weather and where you are playing. Madrid is always so different to Rome and it might be that one set of conditions suits Emma better than the other.” This nuanced perspective underscores the opportunity for Raducanu to find her footing in Madrid’s faster environment before tackling the heavier clay of Rome and the French Open, her three scheduled events this spring.
The advice comes at a pivotal moment. Raducanu’s 2025 has been a mix of promise and setbacks. Her quarterfinal run at the Miami Open, her deepest WTA 1000 result since 2021, showcased her resilience, with wins over Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova. However, a first-round loss in Singapore and a harrowing stalker ordeal in Dubai, where she played through tears against Karolina Muchova, highlighted the external pressures she faces. “Thank you for the messages of support,” Raducanu posted on Instagram after Dubai, praising her own grit: “Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed.” Her decision to delete her Instagram account in March, with over three million followers, signaled a desire to focus inward, a move that aligns with Robson’s call for her to seize control of her game.
Robson’s optimism is rooted in Raducanu’s raw talent and recent progress. Despite missing months due to wrist and foot injuries, Raducanu climbed from No. 301 to No. 55 in 2024, a feat Robson called “impressive.” Her grass-court season, with semifinals in Nottingham and a fourth-round Wimbledon run, showed glimpses of her 2021 magic. Yet, consistency remains elusive, as noted by Robson and others like Tim Henman, who believe her game is trending upward but needs stability. Raducanu’s hope, expressed last year, that clay would “really suit me” one day, reflects her willingness to evolve, and Robson’s guidance could be the catalyst.
As Raducanu prepares for Madrid, where she faces a tough field including Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, Robson’s words offer a roadmap. By leveraging clay’s tactical depth, Raducanu can build confidence and endurance, setting the stage for a strong summer. The tennis world watches eagerly, hoping the young star, once hailed as a “celestial talent,” can translate Robson’s sage advice into a clay-court renaissance.