Emma Raducanu’s meteoric rise to tennis stardom at the 2021 U.S. Open, where she clinched the title as an 18-year-old qualifier, remains one of the most remarkable stories in modern sports. The British sensation, then ranked No. 150, stormed through Flushing Meadows without dropping a set, defeating Leylah Fernandez in a historic all-teen final to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Now, as she navigates the 2025 season, former world No. 1 in doubles and 22-time Grand Slam champion Pam Shriver has weighed in with a bold prediction about Raducanu’s future, asserting that the 22-year-old has the potential to capture another major title despite the challenges she’s faced since her New York triumph.
“Well listen, if you can come out of qualifying and win ten straight matches in straight sets, I’m not going to say she can’t do it again,” Shriver said, reflecting on Raducanu’s extraordinary 2021 run. The American, who achieved a Calendar Slam in doubles in 1984, sees Raducanu’s raw talent as a foundation for future success, even as the Brit has struggled to replicate her U.S. Open magic. “And now she is here at 22 years old, kind of step by step getting better in her game, figuring out how to stay healthy,” Shriver added, acknowledging the hurdles Raducanu has faced, including a series of injuries that required surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle in 2023.
Since her 2021 breakthrough, Raducanu’s journey has been turbulent. Plagued by physical setbacks and frequent coaching changes, she dropped as low as No. 165 in the WTA rankings by mid-2024. Her return to the U.S. Open, where she hasn’t won a match since her title run, was marked by a first-round loss to Sofia Kenin in 2024, a bitter disappointment that left her questioning her preparation. Yet, 2025 has shown signs of a resurgence. Raducanu reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal at the Miami Open, defeated top-20 players like Daria Kasatkina on clay, and notched a standout win over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon, where she fell to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling third-round battle. Now ranked No. 39, her highest since August 2022, Raducanu is steadily climbing back toward the elite.
Shriver’s optimism is rooted in Raducanu’s proven ability to perform under pressure. Her 2021 U.S. Open run saw her dispatch top players like Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari, showcasing a fearless, aggressive style that thrived on taking the ball early. “She’s too athletic. She’s too motivated when she’s in between the lines,” said Mark Petchey, Raducanu’s current coach and former mentor to Andy Murray, echoing Shriver’s confidence. However, consistency remains her Achilles’ heel. With only one WTA title to her name—the U.S. Open—Raducanu has yet to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2021, and her 3-13 record against top-10 players underscores the challenge of sustaining elite-level play.
The road ahead is daunting but not impossible. Raducanu’s 2025 season has included promising moments, like her Washington Open semifinal run, where she defeated Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari before falling to Leylah Fernandez. Her upcoming schedule, including the National Bank Open in Montreal and the Cincinnati Open, offers chances to build momentum before the U.S. Open, where she’ll aim to rewrite her narrative at Flushing Meadows. “I think it’s a great match for a lot of spectators,” Raducanu said of facing top players like Sabalenka, relishing the electric atmosphere of high-stakes clashes. Her ability to embrace these moments, combined with a renewed focus on fitness under renowned trainer Yutaka Nakamura, fuels hope for a comeback.
Shriver also sees broader potential for women’s tennis if Raducanu, alongside peers like Osaka and Bianca Andreescu, can return to their peak. “I think women’s tennis would benefit from the likes of Emma, Naomi, and Bianca all returning to their previous heights,” she said, envisioning a revitalized WTA landscape. Raducanu’s youth—she’s still younger than many of her rivals—and her Grand Slam experience give her an edge, but staying healthy and finding coaching stability are critical. After parting with Nick Cavaday in January 2025, she’s worked with Petchey on an informal basis, focusing on her serve and physical resilience.
As Raducanu prepares for the North American hard-court swing, the tennis world watches eagerly. Her 2021 triumph, sealed with a 109-mph ace, proved she can defy odds. Whether she can channel that magic again in 2025 remains the million-dollar question, but Shriver’s faith, backed by Raducanu’s recent progress, suggests the Brit is far from a one-hit wonder. With her talent, tenacity, and a supportive team, another Grand Slam title isn’t just possible—it’s within reach.
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