Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, was sent packing from the US Open 2025 in a crushing third-round defeat to Elena Rybakina on August 29, 2025, losing 6-1, 6-1 in just 62 minutes at Flushing Meadows. The British No. 2, currently ranked world No. 36, claimed post-match that she is being “targeted” by top players who elevate their performance against her due to her Grand Slam pedigree. The loss, her fastest ever at a major, underscores ongoing struggles against elite opponents, while off-court challenges, including past stalking incidents, continue to shape her journey. Here’s a detailed look at Raducanu’s comments, her US Open campaign, and how fans in the UK, USA, Australia, and Nigeria can stay updated on her next steps as of 8:19 PM WAT, Friday, August 29, 2025.
Raducanu’s Claim: Top Players “Lock In” Against Her
Following her lopsided defeat to No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina, Raducanu spoke candidly to Express.co.uk, suggesting her 2021 US Open title makes her a marked player. “Yeah, big time,” she said when asked if she feels targeted. “When the very top play against me, they have a point to prove that they’re at the top, and they’re there for a reason. Every time I’ve played one, they’ve kind of shown that.” She added, “The top have definitely raised their game. I’ll take that as a compliment that they’ve decided to really lock in against me, but it does show I have a lot more work to do.”
The match against Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, exposed Raducanu’s struggles against top-10 players at Grand Slams. She has yet to defeat a top-10 opponent at a major, with previous heavy losses to Iga Swiatek (6-1, 6-0 in Melbourne 2025; 6-1, 6-2 in Paris 2025) and Aryna Sabalenka (7-6, 6-4 at Wimbledon 2025). Against Rybakina, Raducanu managed only eight winners to Rybakina’s 23, with her serve broken four times. Despite the scoreline, she remained defiant, stating, “I’m going to get back to work and keep trying to improve.”
US Open 2025: A Glimmer of Hope Crushed
Raducanu arrived at the US Open with renewed optimism, having won her first two matches convincingly against qualifiers Ena Shibahara (6-1, 6-2) and Janice Tjen (6-2, 6-1). These victories marked her first wins at Flushing Meadows since her historic 2021 title run as an 18-year-old qualifier. Her serving was a highlight, boasting a 78% first-serve percentage and no service games lost in the opening rounds, earning her the tournament’s top serving stats through round three, per BBC Sport. However, Rybakina’s aggressive play—powered by a 130mph serve and relentless groundstrokes—overwhelmed Raducanu, who admitted, “The ball comes through really, really fast, and you feel like you don’t have any time to create anything.”
Under new coach Francis Roig, formerly Rafael Nadal’s mentor, Raducanu showed signs of progress in 2025, winning more WTA Tour matches than ever before and climbing to No. 36. Her competitive showings against Sabalenka at Wimbledon and Cincinnati were praised by former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who noted, “Raducanu was not only able to absorb the power but also able to push [Sabalenka] around.” Yet, the inability to secure a “statement win” against an elite player remains a hurdle, with Rybakina’s dominance exposing gaps in Raducanu’s game under pressure.
Off-Court Struggles: Stalking Incidents Take a Toll
Raducanu’s on-court challenges are compounded by significant off-court pressures, particularly stalking incidents that have left her feeling “wary” and “on edge.” In February 2025, during a match in Dubai, she was targeted by a man exhibiting “fixated behaviour,” causing her to break down in tears and seek refuge behind the umpire’s chair. The individual, who had followed her across four tournaments, was banned from WTA events and issued a restraining order, per The Guardian. This followed a 2022 incident where Amrit Magar received a five-year restraining order for stalking Raducanu at her home, leaving her “unsafe” and “constantly looking over her shoulder.”
These experiences have impacted Raducanu’s mental state, with the Dubai incident leaving her unable to “see the ball through tears.” Despite this, she has shown resilience, returning to competition at Indian Wells and describing Flushing Meadows as her “happy place” during the US Open. Her ability to remain “jovial” amid such challenges, as noted by Express.co.uk, highlights her determination to push forward.
What’s Next for Raducanu?
Raducanu is now working with Francis Roig on a trial basis, with their partnership showing early promise after three weeks. “We’ve made good improvements,” she said, though she cautioned, “He can’t really work miracles.” Her immediate focus is a training block to address weaknesses exposed by Rybakina, with potential appearances at WTA events in Asia (e.g., China Open, September 2025) or Europe to close out the season. Her 2025 progress—climbing from outside the top 100 to No. 36—offers hope, but consistency against top players and managing off-court pressures remain key challenges.
Fan reactions on X are polarized, with some like @TennisFanUK praising her fight—“Emma’s still got that spark, she’ll bounce back”—while others question her mental toughness, citing her 6-1, 6-1 loss. Raducanu’s next steps will be critical as she aims to build on her 2021 legacy and silence doubters.
Looking Ahead
Raducanu’s US Open exit highlights the challenge of competing against the WTA’s elite, with her “targeted” claim reflecting the weight of her 2021 title. As she works with Roig to refine her game and navigates off-court pressures, her resilience will be tested in the coming months. For the latest updates, visit wtatennis.com, bbc.com/sport, or express.co.uk, and follow @WTA or @EmmaRaducanu on X for real-time insights. With a training block ahead and potential WTA events looming, Raducanu’s quest for a second Grand Slam remains a compelling storyline.
