Emma Raducanu’s journey since her historic 2021 U.S. Open victory has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and trials, played out under the unrelenting glare of public scrutiny. At just 22, the British tennis star has faced challenges that would test even the most seasoned athletes, from a series of injuries to deeply unsettling stalking incidents. As she prepares to return to Flushing Meadows for the 2025 U.S. Open, starting August 19, Raducanu opened up in a candid interview about the lasting impact of her Grand Slam win, the emotional toll of her encounters with stalkers, and her firm belief that therapy isn’t the solution for her. With a steely resolve, she declared, “I am tough,” a statement that encapsulates her unyielding spirit as she navigates fame, adversity, and her ongoing quest to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
Raducanu’s 2021 U.S. Open triumph, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the Open era, remains a defining moment. At 18, she stormed through the tournament without dropping a set, a feat that catapulted her from obscurity to global stardom. Reflecting on that life-changing summer, she told reporters, “Everything leads back to those three fateful weeks at the US Open in the summer of 2021.” The victory reshaped her life, bringing fame, endorsements with brands like Tiffany & Co. and Dior, and a net worth estimated at £4 million. Yet, it also thrust her into a spotlight that has been both dazzling and daunting. “I guess I’m like, it comes with the territory, people being so curious,” she said, acknowledging the intense public interest that has followed her every move, from her coaching changes to her personal life.
The darker side of fame surfaced in two harrowing stalking incidents. In 2021, a man named Amrit Magar was handed a five-year restraining order after visiting Raducanu’s family home, stealing a shoe as a “souvenir” and leaving notes professing his love. “I feel like my freedom has been taken away,” Raducanu said at the time, describing how she felt “on edge” and unsafe in her own home. More recently, in February 2025, during a second-round match against Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Tennis Championships, she was targeted by another individual exhibiting “fixated behaviour.” The ordeal left her in tears, hiding behind the umpire’s chair, unable to focus. “I couldn’t see the ball through tears,” she recalled. “I could barely breathe.” The man, who had followed her across four tournaments—Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai—approached her in a café, handing her a letter and admitting he had tracked her movements. “There were two instances, and it was the second one that I just got freaked out by,” she said, noting how the absence of a full-time coach at the time heightened her vulnerability.
The Dubai incident, which saw the man detained and banned from WTA events, prompted Raducanu to overhaul her security measures. “I’m obviously wary when I go out,” she admitted, explaining that she no longer takes solo walks and is “always with someone and always being watched.” Tournament organizers, including those at Indian Wells and Wimbledon, have since bolstered security, with the All England Club even blocking the stalker from their ticket ballot. Raducanu praised her bodyguard, Mike, for his discreet yet vigilant presence, saying, “It’s amazing to feel protected, to feel safe.” Despite the emotional toll, she remains determined to move forward, stating, “All we can do is look at what happened and react to it in a better way, in a more positive way, rather than looking back and blaming the situation.”
Raducanu’s resilience is rooted in her upbringing, shaped by parents who worked in finance and instilled a disciplined, no-nonsense mindset. “I was always brought up with really high standards, high expectations of myself, not much sympathy,” she said. This tough love forged a player who is “pretty down to earth” but also fiercely independent. Her 2023 injury layoff, which sidelined her for much of the season, became a turning point for personal growth, helping her understand herself beyond the court. However, she’s clear that therapy isn’t her path to coping. “I’m someone who cares what people think and what people say,” she admitted, acknowledging the sting of negative headlines. Yet, she prefers to process challenges internally, drawing on her inner strength rather than external support. “I want to be a message and just an example of someone who has faced a lot of adversity, a lot of scrutiny, a lot of judgement and try and come out of that as best as I can,” she said.
As she gears up for the U.S. Open, Raducanu is managing persistent back spasms that have plagued her 2025 season, including a second-round exit to Iga Swiatek at the French Open. Her recent quarter-final run at Queen’s Club, where she teamed up with Katie Boulter in doubles, signals a return to form. Now ranked 37th, she faces a tough first-round opponent in Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima at Indian Wells, with a potential clash against Coco Gauff looming. Despite the challenges, Raducanu remains optimistic, saying, “I’m pretty chilled out.” Her new coaching team, including Mark Petchey and Nick Cavaday, has brought stability, and she’s eager to let her tennis do the talking. As she steps back onto the Flushing Meadows courts, Raducanu’s story—of grit, growth, and unwavering toughness—continues to inspire, proving that setbacks, no matter how daunting, don’t define her future.
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