Emma Raducanu faces a pivotal moment as she prepares for the US Open 2025, which begins on August 24, and the crucial priority she must address is enhancing her physical fitness and consistency to withstand the tournament’s demands. Following her third-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 to Aryna Sabalenka on July 4 (7-6(8-6), 6-4), the 22-year-old British star’s recent performances and health challenges underscore the urgency of this focus. Her ranking slipped from No. 40 to No. 45 after losing 240 points from her 2024 fourth-round run, and a subsequent withdrawal from the Berlin Open due to back issues has highlighted vulnerabilities that could derail her at Flushing Meadows, where she won her lone Grand Slam title in 2021.
Raducanu’s injury history—wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, a foot injury in 2024, and now recurring back problems—has disrupted her progress since that breakthrough victory. At Wimbledon, despite a gritty win over 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova (6-3, 6-3), her physical limitations were evident against Sabalenka, with her movement and serve faltering under pressure. Post-match, she admitted the emotional toll, saying, “It’s hard to take a loss like that,” but also expressed pride in her effort, signaling a need for resilience. To compete with the elite, she must prioritize working with her fitness coach, Yutaka Nakamura, to build endurance and prevent further setbacks.
Consistency is equally critical. Raducanu’s 15-12 record in 2025 reflects sporadic success, including a Miami Open quarterfinal, but her game lacks the reliability of top players. Her serve, a weapon in her US Open win, has been inconsistent, and her forehand needs sharpening to dictate points. With just over five weeks until the US Open, she should focus on intensive training camps—possibly with her interim coach Mark Petchey or a potential new hire like Darren Cahill—to refine these aspects. Her upcoming participation in the Mubadala Citi Open (July 28) offers a chance to test her progress, but overplaying risks exacerbating injuries.
Mentally, Raducanu must leverage her experience from past comebacks. Her ranking drop and loss of the British No. 1 spot to Katie Boulter have added pressure, yet her mixed doubles pairing with Carlos Alcaraz could boost confidence if managed well. The US Open’s hard courts suit her game, but history shows fatigue led to a 2022 first-round exit. A tailored schedule—limiting events to ensure peak condition—will be key, as will addressing her back with physiotherapy to avoid a repeat.
Prioritizing fitness and consistency could see Raducanu reclaim her 2021 magic, potentially returning to the top 30 and challenging for a deep run. With the clock ticking at 02:32 AM WAT on July 16, 2025, her immediate action plan must center on recovery and rigorous preparation to seize this opportunity.
