Emma Raducanu reveals what she has done to prepare for the French Open this year which is completely different to her usual routine
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has overhauled her preparation for the 2025 French Open, adopting a strikingly different routine to tackle the clay courts of Roland Garros. Battling a recurring back injury and drawing on lessons from past seasons, Raducanu’s new approach emphasizes increased clay-court exposure, a revamped training regimen, and innovative injury management, setting her apart from her previous, more cautious routines.
Increased Clay-Court Exposure
Unlike her 2023 and 2024 seasons, where she played sparingly on clay, Raducanu has embraced the surface in 2025, competing in eight clay matches before the French Open—more than her combined total from the prior two years. Her standout performance came at the Italian Open, where she won three consecutive matches to reach the fourth round, only falling to world No. 2 Coco Gauff. “I’ve put in more time on clay this year, and it’s paying off,” Raducanu said in her pre-tournament press conference. “I wish I’d done this earlier to feel more at home on the surface.” This deliberate shift reflects her goal to build confidence and familiarity on clay, which she finds physically demanding due to its high-bouncing balls.
New Training Regimen
A cornerstone of her new routine is the integration of running into her training, a departure from her usual focus on technical drills. Raducanu recently shared an Instagram story from Paris’ Jardin des Tuileries, captioned with a running emoji alongside her physical trainer, Chelsea Olivia Annalls, signaling her emphasis on endurance to handle clay’s grueling rallies. This change aligns with her work under coach Mark Petchey, who has shifted her training toward aggressive play and repetition of patterns. “Mark’s got me doing drills to take the ball on more, not just tweaking technique,” she explained, highlighting a strategic pivot to suit the slower surface.
Injury Management
Raducanu’s preparation also addresses a persistent back spasm that resurfaced during a loss to Danielle Collins in Strasbourg. To manage it, she’s embraced dry needling and heat therapy, overcoming her fear of needles. “The back’s not perfect, but we’re getting there,” she told BBC Sport, optimistic about her first-round match against Wang Xinyu. Her proactive approach to injury management, combined with practicing in Paris with Petchey, underscores her commitment to competing despite physical setbacks.
On-Court Progress
Her 2025 clay season, marked by wins in Madrid and a dominant 6-1, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina in Strasbourg, showcases her growth. Facing Wang Xinyu on Court 7, with a potential second-round clash against Iga Swiatek looming, Raducanu’s revamped routine—more matches, running, and medical innovation—signals her determination to make a deep run at Roland Garros, a tournament she skipped in 2024 to prioritize fitness. This bold new approach could redefine her clay-court legacy.
