Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, returned to Flushing Meadows in 2025 with high expectations and a renewed sense of purpose. The 22-year-old British star, who captivated the tennis world with her fairy-tale victory as a qualifier four years prior, aimed to recapture her magic at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. While her 2025 campaign ended in the third round, Raducanu’s performance was a testament to her resilience and growth, offering glimpses of the brilliance that once propelled her to global stardom. Her time in New York also came with a significant financial reward and a boost to her WTA rankings, setting the stage for an exciting finish to her season.
Raducanu’s 2025 US Open began with a statement. Facing Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara in the opening round, she delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 62 minutes, marking her fastest Grand Slam main-draw win ever. “When I saw the Sunday schedule, I thought first day, first match at 11am – you don’t want to be out of the tournament by 12:30pm on a Sunday,” Raducanu quipped, reflecting on the pressure of the tournament’s new Sunday start. The win was particularly meaningful, as it marked her first victory at Flushing Meadows since her 2021 triumph. “I broke a barrier of not winning a match here for four years,” she said. “It is a relief. I’m happy to have stopped that and feel I can keep going without that in my head.”
In the second round, Raducanu continued her strong form, advancing with another solid performance. However, her campaign met a formidable challenge in the third round against Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion in top form. Rybakina dominated the encounter, winning 6-1, 6-2 in a match that exposed Raducanu’s vulnerabilities against the tour’s cleanest hitters. Despite the loss, former British No. 1 Laura Robson saw positives in Raducanu’s performance. “You can come away from that match feeling upbeat about what Emma can improve on to challenge the cleanest hitters,” Robson noted, praising Raducanu’s progress under her new coach, Francisco Roig. Raducanu herself remained optimistic, stating, “I’m looking forward to just building day by day. You take a few steps forward, one step back, but overall I’m working and building towards good things.”
Financially, Raducanu’s third-round appearance was lucrative. The 2025 US Open offered a total prize pool of $90 million, a 20% increase from the previous year. For reaching the third round, Raducanu earned $237,000, a substantial addition to her career prize money, which now exceeds $5.5 million. Her 2021 US Open title alone accounted for $2.5 million of that total, but her consistent performances in 2025, including a semifinal run at the Citi DC Open and a quarterfinal appearance at the Miami Open, have steadily added to her earnings. With $1,100,856 collected in 2025 alone, Raducanu’s financial success reflects her ability to compete at the highest levels, even if major titles have been elusive since her breakthrough.
In terms of ranking points, Raducanu’s third-round finish earned her 130 WTA points. Starting the tournament ranked No. 35, her performance helped her maintain a position on the cusp of the top 30. While she fell short of her goal to secure a top-32 seeding for the US Open, her 2025 season has been a story of resurgence. After injuries and form struggles saw her drop outside the top 300 in 2023, Raducanu’s climb back into the top 50 has been remarkable. With only 70 points to defend in the final months of 2025, she has a golden opportunity to break into the top 20 by year’s end, particularly with upcoming WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan.
Raducanu’s journey at the 2025 US Open was not without its challenges, but it showcased her growth as a player and person. Her new coaching team, led by Francisco Roig, a former mentor to Rafael Nadal, has brought stability and structure to her game. Off the court, Raducanu’s relaxed demeanor and rediscovered joy for tennis have been evident. “I think now is the first time that I can come back to the US Open and really enjoy the memories that I made here,” she said, reflecting on her evolving relationship with Flushing Meadows. Her participation in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event alongside Carlos Alcaraz added a lighthearted moment to her campaign, further endearing her to fans.
As Raducanu looks ahead to the Asian swing of the WTA Tour, her US Open performance serves as a stepping stone. The prize money and ranking points earned in New York provide a foundation for her ambitions, but it’s her renewed confidence and love for the game that may prove most valuable. With her talent undeniable and her team stronger than ever, Raducanu is poised to continue her ascent, aiming to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
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