Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, faced a challenging moment at the 2025 Internationaux de Strasbourg, where she was forced to retire in her quarterfinal match against Danielle Collins due to a persistent back injury. The 22-year-old Brit, who has been navigating a rollercoaster season, opened up about the physical and emotional toll of the setback, vowing to “jus try and make it better” as she prepares for the French Open, starting May 25, 2025. Her candid reflection, delivered with characteristic resilience, underscores her determination to overcome adversity and reclaim her place among tennis’s elite, even as injuries continue to test her resolve.
Raducanu’s Strasbourg campaign began with promise. Fresh off a third-round run at the Australian Open, where she defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova, she arrived in France seeking clay-court momentum. Her first-round victory over Daria Kasatkina, a top-20 player, was a confidence booster, marking her second straight win after a gritty performance in Rome, where she won three consecutive matches before falling to Coco Gauff. “I’m really proud of my performance,” she said of her Rome effort, a sentiment echoed in Strasbourg until her back flared up. Against Collins, a formidable opponent riding a 22-match win streak, Raducanu battled valiantly, splitting sets before retiring at 4-6, 6-4, 0-1. “I will jus try and make it better,” she told reporters, her voice tinged with frustration but resolute in its optimism.
The back injury, a recurring issue since her 2023 surgeries on her wrists and ankle, has been a significant hurdle. Raducanu’s ranking, which plummeted to No. 289 after missing most of 2023, has climbed to No. 42 by May 2025, thanks to a 20-13 record in 2024 and a Miami Open quarterfinal. However, her 2025 season has been inconsistent, with first-round exits in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, and a four-match losing streak that tested her mental fortitude. “I’ve been seeing so many doctors, physios, it was a very long process,” she said of her recovery journey, emphasizing the physical demands of returning to elite competition. Her decision to withdraw from the French Open qualifying rounds to focus on Strasbourg was a strategic gamble, but the injury setback has raised concerns about her Roland Garros readiness.
Raducanu’s Strasbourg performance was not without highlights. Her win over Kasatkina showcased her aggressive baseline game and improved clay-court movement, areas she’s honed since her 2021 Wimbledon fourth-round run as a wildcard. “I think I’ve been building towards this,” she said after a 2024 Nottingham Open victory, her first grass-court win in over 700 days, a sentiment that applies to her clay progress. Yet, the physical toll of a packed schedule—competing in Stuttgart, Rome, and Strasbourg in quick succession—likely exacerbated her back issues. “I hadn’t played many practice sets leading up to this either,” she admitted after Nottingham, highlighting her ability to perform despite limited preparation.
Off the court, Raducanu has faced additional challenges. A stalking incident in Dubai earlier in 2025 left her shaken, with the perpetrator receiving a 10-year restraining order. “It made me feel unsafe,” she confessed, underscoring the emotional weight of public life. Without a formal coach since parting with Nick Cavaday in January, she’s relied on hitting partner Raymond Sarmiento and LTA’s Iain Bates, adopting a streamlined approach. “Less is more for me right now,” she noted, focusing on fitness and mental clarity.
As Raducanu eyes Roland Garros, where she has yet to advance past the second round, her Strasbourg withdrawal serves as a reminder of her fragility and tenacity. With a wildcard into the Berlin Open and a confirmed spot at Queen’s Club, her grass season looms large, but Paris remains the immediate focus. “There’s nothing like playing at home,” she said of British crowds, yet her international ambitions drive her forward. Whether she can manage her back injury and channel her US Open-winning grit will define her 2025 campaign, but Raducanu’s vow to “make it better” resonates as a rallying cry for a star determined to shine again.
Emma Raducanu retired from her 2025 Strasbourg quarterfinal against Danielle Collins at 4-6, 6-4, 0-1 due to a back injury, vowing to “jus try and make it better” for the French Open. The world No. 42, who beat Daria Kasatkina in the first round, reflected, “I’m really proud of my performance,” echoing her Rome run. “I will jus try and make it better,” she said post-loss.
Her 2025 season included an Australian Open third round, defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova, but early exits in Singapore and Qatar followed. Clay brought progress, with a Stuttgart quarterfinal and Rome’s three wins. “I’ve been seeing so many doctors, physios, it was a very long process,” she said of her recovery from 2023 surgeries. Her No. 42 ranking reflects a 2024 Miami Open quarterfinal and 20-13 record. “I think I’ve been building towards this,” she said after a 2024 Nottingham win.
The back injury, a recurring issue, forced her French Open qualifying withdrawal. “I hadn’t played many practice sets leading up to this either,” she noted. Off-court, a Dubai stalking incident—“It made me feel unsafe”—added strain. Coached by Raymond Sarmiento and Iain Bates, she said, “Less is more.” With Berlin and Queen’s Club wildcards, Raducanu eyes Wimbledon, but Roland Garros is next. “There’s nothing like playing at home,” she said, yet her resolve fuels her global ambitions.
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