Emma Raducanu, the British tennis sensation who stormed to the 2021 US Open title as an 18-year-old qualifier, returned to Flushing Meadows in 2025 with a blend of experience and ambition. At 22, she carried the weight of expectations but also a renewed sense of purpose, aiming to build on her remarkable comeback season. While her 2025 US Open journey ended in the third round, Raducanu’s performance was a compelling mix of grit, skill, and promise, earning her a significant financial payout and a boost in WTA ranking points that signal her continued ascent in the sport.
Raducanu’s tournament began with a burst of confidence. In the first round, she faced Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara and delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 62 minutes, marking her quickest Grand Slam main-draw win to date. The match, played on the tournament’s opening Sunday—a new scheduling twist for 2025—saw Raducanu in high spirits. “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,” she said with a smile, acknowledging the pressure of the early start. The win was a milestone, breaking a four-year drought of victories at Flushing Meadows since her 2021 triumph. “I broke a barrier of not winning a match here for four years,” Raducanu reflected. “It is a relief. I’m happy to have stopped that and feel I can keep going without that in my head.”
Her second-round match showcased more of her rediscovered form, as she dispatched her opponent with precision and poise. However, the third round presented a formidable challenge in Elena Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion known for her powerful game. Rybakina proved too strong, winning 6-1, 6-2 in a match that highlighted areas for Raducanu to refine. Despite the loss, former British No. 1 Laura Robson saw encouraging signs. “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, a former mentor to Rafael Nadal. Raducanu herself remained forward-looking, 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 rewarding. The 2025 US Open boasted a record-breaking $90 million prize pool, up 20% from the previous year. Reaching the third round earned Raducanu $237,000, a significant addition to her career earnings, which now surpass $5.5 million, largely bolstered by her $2.5 million haul from her 2021 title. Her 2025 season has been financially fruitful, with $1,100,856 in prize money from tournaments like the Citi DC Open, where she reached the semifinals, and the Miami Open, where she made the quarterfinals. This consistent performance underscores her ability to compete at the elite level, even as she navigates the challenges of sustaining her early success.
In terms of rankings, Raducanu’s third-round finish netted her 130 WTA points. Entering the tournament at No. 35 in the world, these points helped her edge closer to the top 30, a goal she has been chasing throughout her 2025 resurgence. After battling injuries and form dips that saw her ranking plummet outside the top 300 in 2023, her climb back into the top 50 has been a testament to her determination. With only 70 points to defend in the final months of 2025, Raducanu is well-positioned to crack the top 20 by year’s end, especially with high-stakes WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan on the horizon.
Beyond the numbers, Raducanu’s 2025 US Open campaign highlighted her growth as a player and person. Her partnership with coach Francisco Roig has brought stability, sharpening her tactical approach and court awareness. Off the court, she exuded a newfound joy, embracing her return to New York. “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 connection with the tournament. Her participation in the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles event alongside Carlos Alcaraz added a playful dimension to her campaign, delighting fans and showcasing her versatility.
Raducanu’s 2025 US Open may not have ended with a trophy, but it was a pivotal moment in her journey. The $237,000 prize money and 130 WTA points are tangible rewards, but her rediscovered confidence and love for the game are perhaps the most valuable takeaways. As she prepares for the Asian swing of the WTA Tour, Raducanu’s performance in New York serves as a foundation for bigger goals. With her talent, work ethic, and a strengthened team behind her, the British star is poised to continue her climb, proving that her 2021 triumph was just the beginning of a remarkable career.
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