The 2025 US Open has been a stage for both triumph and tribulation for Britain’s Emma Raducanu, whose journey in New York came to a swift and sobering end in the third round against Elena Rybakina. The 22-year-old, who captured the tennis world’s imagination with her fairy-tale 2021 US Open title as a qualifier, was outplayed in a 6-1, 6-2 thrashing that lasted just 62 minutes. This defeat marked another chapter in Raducanu’s ongoing struggle against the elite players of the WTA Tour, prompting tennis legend Martina Navratilova to pose a pointed question about the young star’s future trajectory.
Raducanu entered the tournament with renewed confidence, having enjoyed her most consistent season since her historic 2021 triumph. She breezed through her opening matches against qualifiers Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen, dropping only six games combined and showcasing a formidable serve that saw her win 78% of first-serve points. Her performances in Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati earlier in the summer hinted at a player rediscovering her form, with notable victories and competitive showings against top-tier opponents like Aryna Sabalenka. Yet, against Rybakina, a 2022 Wimbledon champion known for her blistering groundstrokes and commanding serve, Raducanu’s game unraveled under intense pressure.
From the outset, Rybakina dominated, breaking Raducanu’s serve early in both sets and dictating play with 23 winners to Raducanu’s mere eight. The Kazakh’s metronomic serve, though landing only 47% of first serves, was devastatingly effective, winning 81% of those points. Raducanu, whose own serve had been a cornerstone of her early-round success, faltered at critical moments, with her first-serve percentage dipping to 63% overall and a dismal 50% in the opening set. “It was a difficult experience facing her when she’s playing so well. I just feel that in every department she was better,” Raducanu admitted post-match, her words reflecting the stark reality of the encounter.
The match highlighted a recurring challenge for Raducanu: her 3-18 career record against top-10 players. This year alone, her Grand Slam campaigns have been halted by the sport’s heavyweights—Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open and French Open, Sabalenka at Wimbledon, and now Rybakina. Despite these setbacks, Raducanu remains philosophical, suggesting that top players raise their game against her due to her 2021 US Open title. “I think when the very top play against me, they have a point to prove that they’re at the top, and they’re there for a reason,” she said. “While I’m improving, doing better, gaining maybe some more respect around, the top have definitely raised their game.”
Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, has been closely following Raducanu’s progress. While acknowledging the Briton’s remarkable 2025 season—marked by 26 tour-level wins and a climb to world No. 36—Navratilova questions how Raducanu can bridge the gap to consistently challenge the elite. The tennis icon, who has praised Raducanu’s new coaching partnership with Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francisco Roig, wonders aloud about the strategic adjustments needed for the young player to compete with powerhouses like Rybakina. “It all comes down to…” Navratilova began, leaving the tennis world anticipating her insights into Raducanu’s next steps.
Raducanu herself is aware of the work ahead. She emphasized the need to refine her serve and adapt to the rapid returns of players like Rybakina. “Developing my serve is important—it has got better, but I think it can be even better,” she noted. “The ball after the serve as well, so I’m ready for a fast return, that’s where I have some big work to do.” Her inability to engage in rallies against Rybakina was particularly telling, as she was often pinned behind the baseline, unable to counter the Kazakh’s aggressive baseline play.
Despite the loss, Raducanu’s 2025 season offers plenty of positives. Her resilience on court, bolstered by improved fitness and a more balanced approach to her career, has her on the cusp of re-entering the world’s top 30. Her collaboration with Roig, which began just weeks before the US Open, has shown early promise, though she acknowledges that transformative change takes time. “Today my weaknesses were highlighted, but I think it’s only been three weeks, and he can’t really work miracles,” she said, reflecting on her coaching dynamic.
For Rybakina, the victory marked a milestone—her first time reaching the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, a tournament where she has historically struggled. Buoyed by the return of her coach Stefano Vukov, whose earlier suspension for conduct issues had sparked controversy, Rybakina expressed satisfaction with her performance. “Really happy with the performance. It’s always not easy to play Emma. Sometimes the score doesn’t show, but she’s a tough competitor,” she said, looking ahead to her next challenge against Marketa Vondrousova.
As Raducanu exits New York, the focus shifts to her offseason preparations. With the Australian Open looming, she remains determined to close the gap with the sport’s elite. “I’ve lost to Iga twice, Aryna, and Elena, so it’s tough,” she admitted. “But at the same time, that’s where I’m at with my ranking. I’ve just got to do my best in the next few months to keep working.” Navratilova’s question lingers: can Raducanu find the tactical and technical edge to turn her potential into consistent victories against the best? Only time will tell, but her journey remains one of the most compelling in tennis.
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