“Deal With the Bumps,” Emma Raducanu’s Discouraging Madrid Performance Doesn’t Deter Glory Hopes From Tennis Legend
Emma Raducanu’s 2025 Madrid Open campaign ended in the second round with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 loss to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, a clay-court specialist and the 24th seed. Despite the defeat, British tennis legend Tim Henman remained optimistic about Raducanu’s future, emphasizing her resilience and potential. Henman, speaking to TNT, praised her competitive spirit, noting, “I was just so pleased to see Emma really out there competing and I think showing better physical endurance.” He highlighted her Miami Open quarterfinal run in March 2025, where she defeated top-20 players, as a “good sign” of her progress. Henman believes Raducanu’s talent ensures “the results will come” if she remains patient and navigates the “bumps in the road,” predicting a potential rise to the top 30 or 20 if she stays healthy.[]
Raducanu, ranked No. 49, struggled with clay-court movement against Kostyuk, admitting post-match, “I found moving really difficult. I felt like I was slipping around.” She acknowledged her discomfort on the surface, having played only 18 competitive clay matches in her career, with this being her second proper clay season in three years. Despite the loss, she saw positives, stating, “It’s positive to get through and play two matches on the outdoor clay courts.” Her first-round win over Suzan Lamens (7-6(4), 6-4) marked her first outdoor clay victory in nearly three years, showcasing her mental toughness.[]
The Madrid performance followed a strong start to 2025, with Raducanu reaching the Miami quarterfinals and climbing into the top 50 for the first time since 2022. Her 8-8 win-loss record reflects improvement from her 2024 season, when she finished inside the top 60 after starting outside the top 300. Henman’s confidence aligns with her goal to play more tournaments, having already competed in eight events by May 2025. However, her clay-court inexperience and movement issues remain hurdles, as seen in her 28 unforced errors against Kostyuk. Raducanu plans to address these in training before the Italian Open, aiming to build momentum for Roland Garros, where she’ll make her second main-draw appearance.[]
Colin Fleming, a former player, echoed Henman’s optimism on Sky Sports, suggesting Raducanu’s competitive level on a challenging surface bodes well for the clay season and beyond. Despite the Madrid setback, her fighting spirit and recent form keep hopes alive for a deeper run on clay or the upcoming grass and hard-court seasons.
