Emma Raducanu is once again making headlines—this time, not just for her performance, but for her decisions off the court.
Following an impressive quarterfinal run at the Miami Open, the British tennis star took a three-week break from competition. Her decision was met with sharp criticism from former World No. 1 Andy Roddick, who suggested that more match play was essential for maintaining momentum and form.
But Raducanu was quick to defend her approach.
“I’ve realized now that less is more for me sometimes,” said the 22-year-old. “It’s about making sure that when I’m on the court, I’m giving my all for that set period of time—and then fully switching off afterward.”
She emphasized that smart scheduling and mental recovery are key parts of her strategy, especially in a long and physically demanding season.
Raducanu now turns her focus to the Madrid Open, where she aims to make a stronger impression on clay—a surface that challenged her last year, with only six wins to her name. She’ll open her campaign against World No. 69 Suzan Lamens, with a potential third-round clash against ninth seed Paula Badosa looming on the horizon.
Joining her for this chapter of the season are temporary coach Mark Petchey and longtime mentor Jane O’Donoghue, who are helping Raducanu fine-tune her game and mindset.
With critics watching and pressure mounting, the stage is set for Raducanu to prove that her unconventional path is still one of a champion.
