Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and current world No. 38, has revealed that mahjong, a tile-based game originating in 19th-century China, is one of her key hobbies for coping with the psychological pressures of professional tennis. In a 2023 interview with Porsche, cited by Express.co.uk on August 7, 2025, Raducanu shared, “I recently learned mahjong and feel most at home and my true self when I’m around the kitchen table at my grandma or aunt’s place in Shenyang playing with family.” This quirky pastime, alongside others like piano, reading, and driving, helps her unwind from the intense demands of the sport, which she has openly described as mentally taxing.
Raducanu’s 2025 season, with a 23-16 record and a Citi Open semifinal, has been marred by early Grand Slam exits and a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Amanda Anisimova in Montreal, amplifying the stress she faces. Injuries, including multiple surgeries on her wrists and ankle, have compounded the psychological toll since her 2021 US Open triumph, per The Express US. Mahjong, a strategic game requiring focus and social interaction, offers a mental escape, particularly tied to her Chinese heritage through her mother, Renee Zhai, from Shenyang. “It’s one of many activities I pursue between training and tournaments,” she noted, listing piano and motorsport as other outlets.
Her love for mahjong, which she plays with “whoever I can find,” reflects her desire to stay grounded, a trait reinforced by her new coach, Francisco Roig, whose calming presence she trusts, per Sky Sports. As Raducanu prepares for the Cincinnati Open, facing a tough draw with a potential Aryna Sabalenka clash, and the US Open, where she’ll play mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, mahjong remains a vital tool to manage stress and maintain focus. Fans on X, like @TennisFanatic22, celebrated her relatability, with one post joking, “Emma playing mahjong with her grandma is the wholesome content we need.” This hobby, rooted in family and culture, underscores her resilience as she navigates the pressures of elite tennis.
