Chris Evert explains the problem that both Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka are both suffering from after French Open exits
**Chris Evert on Emma Raducani and Naomi Osaka’s Post-Slam Struggles**
Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, pinpointed a shared challenge facing Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka after their 2025 French Open exits: the overwhelming pressure and distractions following a breakthrough Grand Slam win. Speaking to Tennis365 at Roland Garros, Evert expressed sympathy for both players, noting that their early success led to lost years in their careers due to external expectations, endorsements, and instability, a struggle requiring resilience akin to that of Luke Littler and Jasmine Paolini.[](https://tennishead.net/chris-evert-explains-the-problem-that-both-emma-raducanu-and-naomi-osaka-are-both-suffering-from-after-french-open-exits/)
**Evert’s Analysis**
Evert highlighted the impact of a single major victory, stating, “I just feel [Raducanu] has lost so many years of her career because of the whole thing around the one big win. It’s the same with Naomi (Osaka). You go through so much and all of a sudden you have that one big win,” per Tennis365.com. For Raducanu, her 2021 US Open title as a qualifier at 18 brought fame, but also endorsements from Porsche and Nike, coaching changes, and injuries, including 2023 wrist and ankle surgeries, per Tennis365.com. Osaka, a four-time Slam winner, faced similar pressures after her 2018 US Open win, compounded by mental health breaks and motherhood in 2023, per BBC.com. Evert noted Raducanu’s beauty “probably didn’t help,” as it fueled commercial demands, while Osaka’s sensitivity required a “thicker skin,” per Express.co.uk.[](https://tennishead.net/chris-evert-explains-the-problem-that-both-emma-raducanu-and-naomi-osaka-are-both-suffering-from-after-french-open-exits/)[](https://tennishead.net/chris-evert-explains-the-problem-that-both-emma-raducanu-and-naomi-osaka-are-both-suffering-from-after-french-open-exits/)[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cjwq781x6ggo)
**French Open Exits**
Raducanu, ranked No. 41, lost 6-1, 6-2 to Iga Swiatek in the second round on May 28, 2025, despite a gritty first-round win over Wang Xinyu, per BBC.com. Osaka, ranked No. 54, fell 6-3, 7-6(5) to Paula Badosa in the first round on May 26, expressing disappointment at “letting people down,” per BBC.com. Evert observed that both players’ expectations remain high despite their current levels, with Raducanu needing to “swallow her pride” and Osaka struggling to regain her “magic,” per Tennis365.com, TennisWorldUSA.org.[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cjwq781x6ggo)[](https://tennishead.net/chris-evert-explains-the-problem-that-both-emma-raducanu-and-naomi-osaka-are-both-suffering-from-after-french-open-exits/)[](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/WTA_Tennis/147640/chris-evert-identifies-stunning-issue-that-may-be-holding-back-naomi-osaka/)
**Path to Recovery**
Evert remains optimistic, believing Raducanu can return to the top 10 with “solid commitment,” citing her improved 2025 season, including a Miami Open quarter-final and Italian Open last 16, per TennisUpToDate.com. For Osaka, Evert suggested her happiness as a mother might reduce the “intensity and fierceness” needed for Slams, per TennisWorldUSA.org. Caroline Wozniacki echoed Evert, advising Raducanu to accept her top-20/30 level and rebuild, per Sportskeeda.com. Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ former coach, identified Raducanu’s coaching instability as a key issue, per GBNews.com.[]
**Parallels to Resilience**
Raducanu and Osaka’s struggles mirror other athletes’ challenges. Littler’s pursuit of darts’ top rank despite PDC rules and Paolini’s defusal of a French Open fan fight show resilience under pressure, per Express.co.uk, SI.com. Phil Taylor’s warning to Littler about 25 years of dedication and Humphries’ sportsmanship reflect the perseverance needed, per DailyRecord.co.uk, Mirror.co.uk. Sinner’s professionalism amid his doping ban further parallels their mental fortitude, per Express.co.uk.
**Conclusion**
Chris Evert explained that Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka lost years to the pressures of fame, endorsements, and expectations after their Grand Slam wins, as seen in their 2025 French Open exits, per Tennis365.com. Raducanu needs to rebuild gradually, while Osaka must rediscover intensity, per TennisUpToDate.com, TennisWorldUSA.org. Like Littler’s grit, Paolini’s poise, and Sinner’s focus, their recovery demands resilience. Raducanu prepares for Queen’s Club (June 9-15), and Osaka for Wimbledon, live on TNT Sports.
