Emma Raducanu has opened up about the challenges of forming friendships on the WTA Tour, making a poignant admission about her struggles following the “dips” in her career since her 2021 US Open triumph. Ahead of her second-round match against Naomi Osaka at the Mubadala Citi DC Open on July 24, 2025, the 22-year-old British star revealed that her unexpected rise to fame has made it difficult to trust and connect with fellow players. Raducanu, who became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, explained that unlike Osaka, who had a more established foundation before her 2018 US Open win and went on to secure three more majors, her own breakthrough lacked the same grounding. She noted, “Whereas I think when I won, it was completely out of nowhere… I didn’t quite build the foundations she had, which is why I had a lot more dips afterwards.”
These “dips” refer to her inconsistent form and injuries, including surgeries in 2023 that sidelined her for much of the season, contrasting with Osaka’s ability to repeat success. Raducanu admitted that this trajectory has impacted her social circle, saying, “It’s very difficult to really open up with other players that you’re competing against.” She prefers to keep her friendships off-tour, relying on trusted companions from home rather than risking complications with rivals. This sentiment echoes her past reflections on being “burned” both personally and professionally, a result of her rapid ascent at 18, which forced her to mature quickly and guard her inner circle closely.
Her admission sheds light on the isolation that can accompany sudden fame, a theme she’s touched on before when discussing the pressures post-US Open. Despite her recent success, including a win over Marta Kostyuk to set up the Osaka clash, Raducanu’s guarded approach highlights a lingering effect of her career’s ups and downs. As she prepares for this high-profile match at 11:00 AM WAT, her comments reveal a bittersweet perspective—grateful for her achievements yet cautious about the relationships within the competitive tennis world.
