Raducanu’s Clay Court Comeback: What’s Next?

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has had a journey filled with ups and downs since her historic win. With injuries and inconsistent form impacting her performance, fans are keen to know how she fared on clay courts last year and what her upcoming schedule looks like. Here’s a breakdown of her 2024 clay court season and a glimpse into her next matches.

Raducanu’s 2024 Clay Court Season: A Summary

Raducanu’s 2024 clay court season was marked by both promise and challenges. After a series of wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, she aimed to make a strong comeback on the red dirt.

• Billie Jean King Cup: Raducanu began her clay-court season representing Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup tie against France. She secured impressive wins against Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry, playing a crucial role in helping Great Britain qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup finals.
• Stuttgart Open: Awarded a wildcard for the Stuttgart Open, Raducanu showcased her potential by defeating Angelique Kerber and Linda Nosková in straight sets, reaching her first quarterfinal since 2022. This performance significantly boosted her ranking, pushing her back into the top 250. However, her run was halted by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinal.
• Madrid Open: Raducanu reached the third round of the Madrid Open, displaying promising form on the clay surface.
• French Open: She withdrew from the French Open to prioritize her fitness for the remainder of the year.

Overall, Raducanu’s 2024 clay court season showed glimpses of her potential, with notable wins and a return to form after injury setbacks.

Raducanu’s Performance on Other Surfaces in 2024

Beyond clay, Raducanu also competed on other surfaces, with varying degrees of success:

• Grass: She reached the semi-finals at the Nottingham Open and the quarter-finals at the Eastbourne International. At Wimbledon, she reached the fourth round, marking a positive run at her home Grand Slam.
• Hard Courts: Raducanu had a relatively light schedule on hard courts due to injuries. However, she achieved quarter-final results at the WTA Citi Open and the Korea Open.

Despite the challenges, Raducanu managed to win 20 of the 33 matches she played in 2024, finishing the year ranked 58 in the world.

What’s Next for Emma? Upcoming Tournaments

As of April 18, 2025, Emma Raducanu’s schedule includes participation in the Madrid Open, scheduled from April 22 to May 4.

Raducanu’s 2025 Season

Raducanu started her 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand in December 2024. She also participated in the Australian Open in January 2025, reaching the third round. In March 2025, she reached her first WTA 1000 quarter-final at the Miami Open, demonstrating a strong return to form.

Concluding Thoughts

Emma Raducanu’s journey in professional tennis has been a mix of remarkable achievements and significant challenges. Her 2024 season, including her performance on clay courts, reflects her resilience and determination to compete at the highest level. As she continues to work on her fitness and consistency, fans can look forward to seeing more of her talent on display in upcoming tournaments.