Emma Raducanu’s meteoric rise to tennis stardom began with her stunning 2021 US Open triumph, a victory that saw her become the first qualifier in the Open Era to claim a Grand Slam title. At just 18, the British sensation captured the world’s imagination, but the road since has been a rollercoaster of injuries, setbacks, and flashes of brilliance. As of March 25, 2025, with her latest exploits at the Miami Open thrusting her back into the spotlight, it’s the perfect moment to look back at her five standout tournaments since that unforgettable New York run. These events showcase her resilience, talent, and the promise of a career still unfolding.
First up is her dazzling performance at the 2025 Miami Open, where Raducanu has reminded everyone of her potential. Entering as a wildcard ranked No. 60, she stormed through the draw, notching four consecutive wins—a feat she hadn’t achieved since her US Open heroics. Her campaign kicked off with a 6-2, 6-1 demolition of Japan’s Sayaka Ishii, followed by a gritty 6-1, 6-4 victory over qualifier Ena Shibahara. The real fireworks came in the third round, where she toppled world No. 10 Emma Navarro in a thrilling 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-6(3) battle—her first top-10 win on hard courts. She capped it with a 6-1, 6-3 rout of 17th seed Amanda Anisimova, securing a quarterfinal berth against Jessica Pegula. “I think since Indian Wells I wasn’t necessarily feeling great about my tennis,” she admitted, reflecting on a tough start to the year. “But this week, I have some really good people around who I trust, and who I have fun with off the court as well.” At press time, she’d propelled herself to a projected No. 48 ranking, a testament to her rediscovered spark.
Rewind to Wimbledon 2024, where Raducanu returned to the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since her US Open glory. Ranked outside the top 100, she shook off a nervy start to beat Renata Zarazua 7-6(0), 6-3, then cruised past Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2. Her third-round upset of world No. 9 Maria Sakkari, 6-2, 6-3, marked just her second top-10 scalp, sending SW19 into a frenzy. Though her run ended with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 loss to qualifier Lulu Sun, it was a stirring reminder of her grass-court pedigree. “I just want to see how much I can do and fulfill my potential,” she’d said earlier that year, and Wimbledon hinted at what might lie ahead.
The 2023 Indian Wells Masters also stands out, a beacon of hope during a turbulent period. Fresh off an eight-month injury layoff due to wrist and ankle surgeries, Raducanu, ranked No. 62, roared into the fourth round. She opened with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic, then outlasted No. 13 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 in a three-set thriller. A third-round clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek ended in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat, but not before she’d shown glimpses of her old magic. “I’m in a pretty good spot,” she noted that season, a sentiment borne out by her tenacity in the desert.
Nottingham 2024 brought Raducanu back to British soil with a semifinal run that reignited home hopes. As the sixth seed, she dispatched Moyuka Uchijima 6-2, 6-4 and Yanina Wickmayer 6-3, 7-5, before a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over third seed Magda Linette. Her charge halted against compatriot Katie Boulter, retiring at 4-6, 6-3, 3-0 down, but the week was a confidence booster. “I want to play more,” she’d declared, signaling her intent to build momentum—a goal this run advanced.
Finally, Eastbourne 2024 saw Raducanu notch her first-ever top-10 win. Starting with a 6-4, 6-0 thrashing of Sloane Stephens, she then saved a match point to stun world No. 5 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-5 on grass. A quarterfinal loss to Daria Kasatkina couldn’t dim the shine of that milestone. “When I play my best, I’m definitely authentic, true to myself, and creative,” she mused, words that rang true as she danced across the court.
These tournaments—spanning hard courts, grass, and the weight of expectation—paint a picture of a player fighting to reclaim her throne. From Miami’s resurgence to Wimbledon’s nostalgia, Raducanu’s journey since Risks is one of grit, growth, and the tantalizing promise of more to come.
Leave a Reply