Emma Raducanu opened up about overcoming personal struggles after defeating Suzan Lamens 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach the second round of the Madrid Open. The win marked her first clay-court victory in over a year.
After the match, the British No. 2 shared how much the win meant to her, particularly following a tough start to the season. “It meant a lot to me to get my first match win [on clay],” she told Sky Sports. “Last year, I lost first round here and didn’t play the rest of the clay season. I didn’t even play in 2023, so my last outdoor clay win was in 2022. That’s three years ago.”
Raducanu credited her support team for helping her through difficult times, including “informal” coach Mark Petchey and mentor Jane O’Donoghue. “They’ve really picked me up through some very difficult moments at the start of this year,” she said. “To have them by my side means a lot.”
Her 2025 season has already been turbulent. In January, she parted ways with coach Nick Cavaday due to his health concerns. Then in February, she faced a disturbing moment in Dubai when a man with a history of fixated behavior appeared at one of her matches.
Despite the setbacks, Raducanu is finding her footing again, thanks in part to Petchey, who also helped during the Miami Open. Though their partnership is unofficial, his presence has brought a sense of calm. Before her Madrid match, the two even played a bit of football to relax.
“I think I’ve realized that I don’t need to be switched on 200 percent of the time,” Raducanu reflected. “I don’t have to suffer or be overly intense constantly. I can enjoy myself, have fun, and still be ready when I step on court.”
Looking ahead, Raducanu will face 23rd seed Marta Kostyuk in the second round. The two are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head, with Raducanu winning their last Madrid meeting in 2022. “We grew up playing together—same age group, summer and winter cups. So much has happened in both our careers. It’ll be interesting.”
