Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has decided to compete in the 2025 French Open, starting May 25, 2025, at Roland Garros, despite concerns over a back injury sustained during her second-round loss to Danielle Collins at the WTA 500 Strasbourg event. The British No. 2, ranked world No. 43, experienced “long and intense” back spasms, raising fears she might withdraw from the clay-court Grand Slam to focus on the grass season and Wimbledon, per Express.co.uk on May 24, 2025. However, Raducanu confirmed her participation, set to face China’s world No. 42 Wang Xinyu in the first round, stating, “I’ve been on the practice court last night and this morning. It felt okay, but obviously it’s different playing a match,” per Express.co.uk.
Lightning-Struck Flight Drama
Her decision follows a turbulent journey to Paris, as Raducanu was aboard the same flight as Alexander Zverev, Jiri Lehecka, and Brandon Nakashima, which was struck by lightning en route from Hamburg, forcing an emergency landing. Zverev described the incident during a press conference, noting, “We got struck by lightning. We had to do an emergency landing back in Hamburg. It made a little noise — no real wobbling or anything,” per Express.co.uk and The Standard on May 24, 2025. Raducanu, who arrived in Paris at 3 a.m. after taking a 1 a.m. flight, has not publicly commented on the incident but is focusing on her recovery, using acupuncture to manage her back issue, despite her fear of needles, per Express.co.uk.
Managing a History of Injuries
Raducanu’s choice to play reflects a cautious approach to her injury-prone career. After a challenging 2024 season, marked by a foot ligament injury in Seoul and withdrawals from five tournaments, including the Hong Kong Open (The Mirror, October 23, 2024), she prioritized clay preparation, winning the WTA 125 Paris event and reaching the Rome Open second round, per Yardbarker on May 19, 2025. Her Strasbourg defeat to Collins (4-6, 6-1, 6-3) saw her compete through pain, with Collins defending her from an intrusive cameraman, highlighting their positive off-court rapport, per Express.co.uk on May 22, 2025. Fans on X, like @TennisFanatic, praised her resilience, posting, “Emma’s grit to play through injury shows her hunger for Roland Garros.”
French Open Outlook
With a 7-7 clay record in 2025 and a history of back issues, including a withdrawal from the Auckland Open (ESPN, December 31, 2024), Raducanu’s decision to face Wang Xinyu—whom she defeated 6-1, 6-3 in Strasbourg—signals determination to build match fitness, per wtatennis.com. Her team, including new coach Mark Petchey, is managing her load to avoid the “vicious cycle” of injuries she described in December 2024 (Daily Mail, January 2, 2025), setting her up for a potential deep run despite the dramatic travel scare and physical challenges.
