Emma Raducanu, the young British tennis sensation who captured the world’s imagination with her historic US Open victory in 2021, is once again facing a challenging period marked by injuries and fluctuating rankings. Her journey has been a rollercoaster, filled with moments of brilliance interspersed with frustrating setbacks. As she navigates the demanding world of professional tennis, Raducanu’s resilience is constantly tested.
A Promising Start Derailed?
Raducanu’s emergence onto the global stage was nothing short of meteoric. At Wimbledon 2021, she made her Grand Slam debut as a wildcard, stunning fans and pundits alike by reaching the fourth round. This remarkable run, however, ended with breathing difficulties, forcing her to withdraw from her match against Ajla Tomljanovic.
Undeterred, Raducanu entered the US Open as a qualifier and proceeded to make history. She became the first qualifier, male or female, to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era, defeating Leylah Fernandez in the final without dropping a single set. This unprecedented triumph catapulted her to superstardom, making her a household name and a beacon of hope for British tennis.
The Injury Bug Bites
Since her US Open victory, Raducanu’s career has been plagued by a series of injuries, hindering her progress and impacting her consistency on the court. These physical setbacks have not only affected her performance but have also taken a toll on her ranking, causing it to fluctuate significantly.
2022: A Year of Challenges
- Ankle Injury (ASB Classic): In January 2022, Raducanu’s preparation for the Australian Open was disrupted when she suffered an ankle injury at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
- Blisters (Australian Open): Despite the ankle issue, she competed at the Australian Open but was hampered by blisters on her hands, which contributed to her second-round defeat.
- Leg Cramp and Fatigue (Abierto Zapopan): February saw her retire from the Abierto Zapopan in Mexico due to a leg cramp and fatigue after a grueling three-and-a-half-hour match. This injury also led to her withdrawal from the Monterrey Open.
- Back Injury (Italian Open): In May, she retired in the first round of the Italian Open against Bianca Andreescu due to a back injury.
- Rib Injury (Nottingham Open): Her grass-court season was cut short at the Nottingham Open when she was forced to retire due to a rib injury.
- Wrist Injury (Transylvania Open): A wrist injury forced her to withdraw from the Transylvania Open in Romania, prematurely ending her 2022 season.
2023: A Year of Setbacks
Multiple surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle caused Raducanu to miss the majority of 2023.
- Ankle Injury (ASB Classic): She began the year by rolling her ankle at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
2024: Comeback Cut Short
- Back Issue (Auckland Open): Raducanu withdrew from the Auckland Open due to a back problem.
- Foot Injury: She missed the end of the season due to a sprained foot ligament.
2025: More Injury Concerns
- Back Injury (Strasbourg): In May 2025, just before the French Open, Raducanu experienced a lower back problem during her second-round match at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. This raised concerns about her physical readiness for the Grand Slam event.
Ranking Woes
Raducanu’s ranking has mirrored her injury struggles, experiencing both significant rises and falls. After her US Open triumph, she reached a career-high ranking of world No. 10 on July 11, 2022 . However, her inability to consistently compete due to injuries has seen her ranking plummet outside the top 100 at times .
Recent Ranking Developments
- Queen’s Club 2025: Despite the ongoing challenges, Raducanu has shown glimpses of her potential in 2025. At the Queen’s Club Championships in June, she reached the quarter-finals, a result that helped her regain the British No. 1 ranking for the first time in two years .
- Current Ranking: As of June 9, 2025, Raducanu’s ranking is No. 37 .
- Potential Ranking Rise: If she had played in the Queen’s semifinals, she would have returned to the top 30 of the WTA ranking .
Wimbledon 2025 and Beyond
As Wimbledon 2025 approaches (June 30 – July 13), questions remain about Raducanu’s fitness and her ability to perform consistently at the highest level. Despite the uncertainties, there’s optimism surrounding Raducanu’s potential and Wimbledon chiefs are looking to improve security .
Grass Court Performance
Raducanu is already loving London life on grass and is enjoying the perfect warm-up for the big one at the All England Club .
Coaching Changes and Team Support
Raducanu’s journey has also been marked by frequent changes in her coaching team.
- Yutaka Nakamura: In late 2024, she enlisted the services of renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, to improve her fitness and prevent recurring injuries .
- Nick Cavaday: Raducanu stopped working with coach Nick Cavaday in January 2025 due to health issues .
Overcoming Adversity
Despite the setbacks, Raducanu’s determination to overcome adversity remains strong. She has spoken openly about the frustrations of dealing with injuries and the importance of staying positive during challenging times .
Raducanu recognizes that injuries have been the biggest issue in her young career . She acknowledged struggling with back problems after picking up another injury in Strasbourg . She has expressed gratitude for her health and is channeling that into growth .
A Contender
Emma Raducanu’s career has been a captivating blend of extraordinary achievement and frustrating setbacks. While injuries have undoubtedly hampered her progress, her talent, resilience, and unwavering determination suggest that she still has the potential to achieve great things in the world of tennis .
The Future
With Wimbledon 2025 on the horizon, all eyes will be on Raducanu as she seeks to overcome her injury woes and rediscover the form that made her a US Open champion. Whether she can fulfill her immense potential remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Emma Raducanu’s journey will continue to be one of the most compelling stories in women’s tennis.
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