Emma Raducanu’s journey in professional tennis has been a captivating mix of historic highs and challenging setbacks. While her current WTA ranking of World No. 33 might not immediately reflect the prodigious talent that captivated the world with her 2021 US Open triumph, a deeper look into her recent performance, injury history, and the nuances of the WTA ranking system suggests her true competitive level could be significantly higher.
Understanding the WTA Ranking System
The WTA ranking system operates on a rolling 52-week cumulative basis. A player’s ranking points are derived from their best 18 singles tournament results over this period, including mandatory points from the four Grand Slams and six WTA 1000 tournaments. Points are awarded based on the tournament level and how far a player advances. This system means that points from strong performances expire after 52 weeks, impacting a player’s ranking if they haven’t maintained or surpassed those results.
The Impact of Injuries and Time Off
A major factor influencing Raducanu’s ranking since her US Open victory has been a series of recurring injuries. After her 2021 US Open win, which saw her rise dramatically from World No. 150 to a career-high of World No. 10 by July 2022, she faced various physical setbacks.
Her injury history includes:
- Breathing difficulties at Wimbledon 2021.
- Blisters at the Australian Open 2022.
- Cramping and fatigue at the Abierto Zapopan 2022.
- A back injury leading to withdrawal from the Italian Open 2022.
- Wrist injuries, which caused her to miss the Transylvania Open and Guadalajara Open in 2022.
- An ankle injury at the Auckland Open in January 2023.
- Undergoing minor surgery on both hands and an ankle in May 2023, which sidelined her for the remainder of that season.
These periods of forced absence meant she was unable to defend points earned in previous seasons, causing her ranking to drop significantly. By July 2025, she had fallen outside the top 300 at one point.
Recent Resurgence and Promising Performances
Despite the challenges, Raducanu has shown significant signs of a resurgence in 2025. She has steadily climbed the rankings, reaching World No. 33 as of late July 2025, her highest position in the last three years.
Key indicators of her improved form include:
- Strong showing at the Washington Open: Raducanu reached the semi-finals, notably defeating high-caliber players like Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari. Her comeback from a 5-2 deficit against Sakkari in challenging conditions highlighted a newfound mental resilience.
- Consistent wins: She has consistently beaten players ranked below her, a trend that critics previously noted she struggled with after her 2021 US Open win.
- Canadian Open performance: Raducanu continued her impressive form at the Canadian Open, securing a straight-sets victory over Peyton Stearns to reach the third round. She has won five of her last six matches during the North American hard-court swing, not dropping a set in any of these five victories.
- Improved record against top players: While still working on her record against top 10 players, her win over World No. 9 Maria Sakkari demonstrates progress. She also recorded her first career win over a top 10 player by beating Jessica Pegula (ranked No. 5) at Eastbourne in June 2024, and later defeated Emma Navarro (then World No. 8) at the Miami Open in March 2025.
These recent results suggest that Raducanu is not merely returning to a past form but building a more durable and consistent presence on the tour. The sustained run of matches she is now playing, having already matched her total number of events played in 2024 by July 2025, is crucial for gaining points and improving her ranking.
Looking Ahead: A More Accurate Reflection
While her current ranking reflects the points accumulated over the past 52 weeks, which included significant time off due to injury, her recent string of strong performances indicates an upward trajectory. As she continues to play more tournaments and accumulate fresh points, her WTA ranking is expected to climb further, providing a more accurate reflection of her current competitive level and potential. Her focus now is on building a stable foundation, rather than chasing a ranking that was perhaps prematurely inflated by her historic Grand Slam win.
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