Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is leaving no stone unturned as she prepares for her debut at the 2025 Internationaux de Strasbourg, a WTA 500 tournament kicking off on May 18. Just hours after a refreshing meet-up with friends in Rome, which she dubbed a “remedy” for her soul, the 22-year-old British star was back on the clay courts, honing her game in an intense practice session. Her commitment to fine-tuning her skills ahead of the French Open, starting May 25, underscores a newfound resilience and strategic focus, as Raducanu aims to build on her promising clay-court season and make a statement in Strasbourg.
Raducanu’s journey to Strasbourg follows a rollercoaster clay swing. After a second-round loss to Marta Kostyuk in Madrid, she hit her stride at the Italian Open, winning three consecutive clay matches for the first time in her career—a milestone for a player with only 21 professional matches on the surface. Her Rome run, which included victories over Maya Joint, Jil Teichmann, and Veronika Kudermetova, ended with a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to world No. 3 Coco Gauff in the round of 16. Rather than retreating, Raducanu embraced the setback with optimism. “I would love to just keep improving, keep playing,” she said after the loss. “I don’t want to go and hide in a hole somewhere, I want to get back out there.” Her decision to accept a wildcard into Strasbourg reflects this mindset, offering a chance to gain crucial match experience against a stacked field featuring Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, and Paula Badosa.
The practice session in Strasbourg, captured in footage that has energized fans, showcased Raducanu’s work ethic. Fresh from her emotional reset—a tea date with friends, including actress Ashley Simone, on May 15—she hit the courts with renewed vigor. Her drills focused on movement and consistency, critical for clay’s demanding slides and rallies. “I just know that every day I’m trying to be the best version of myself,” Raducanu said, a mantra that has guided her 2025 season. Her collaboration with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura has bolstered her physical resilience, evident in her ability to compete in nine tournaments this year without injury setbacks, a stark contrast to her injury-plagued 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Strasbourg represents more than just a tune-up for Raducanu; it’s a strategic move to boost her confidence and rankings. Currently No. 42 in the live WTA rankings, she is four spots behind British No. 1 Katie Boulter. A deep run could see her reclaim the top British ranking and edge closer to a Wimbledon seeding, a goal highlighted by former British No. 1 Tim Henman. “Her game is moving in the right direction,” Henman noted, praising her adaptation to clay. The WTA 500 event offers substantial points—500 for the winner, 325 for the runner-up, and 195 for a semi-finalist—making it a golden opportunity for Raducanu, who has no points to defend from last year’s clay season.
The Strasbourg draw, revealed on May 17, pits Raducanu against a competitive field, including Grand Slam champions Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova, and former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, whom Raducanu defeated in the 2021 US Open final. A potential rematch with Fernandez would carry emotional weight, but Raducanu’s focus remains on growth. “The clay courts at Roland Garros are the truest and best clay courts,” Henman said, suggesting that Strasbourg’s similar conditions could prepare her for a strong French Open showing, where she reached the second round in her 2022 debut.
Raducanu’s journey reflects a player rediscovering her spark. Her coaching setup, with Mark Petchey and Jane O’Donoghue fostering a relaxed yet focused approach, has yielded eight wins in 11 matches. “It makes it more enjoyable, it makes it more sustainable,” she said of her renewed love for the game. As she steps onto Strasbourg’s clay, Raducanu carries the weight of her historic US Open triumph and the promise of a comeback season. With fans buzzing over her latest practice footage, the stage is set for a pivotal week that could propel her toward Roland Garros glory.
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