Emma Raducanu Nears $5 Million Prize Money Milestone as She Reflects on Mental Reset After Madrid Win
Emma Raducanu is showing signs of resurgence on the WTA Tour after a composed and hard-fought win in her opening match at the Madrid Open. The British star defeated Suzan Lamens 7-6(4), 6-4 in what marked her first tour-level win on clay since the 2022 French Open.
After a solid run to the Miami Open quarterfinals earlier this year, Raducanu took time off the circuit to regroup, working closely with her part-time coach Mark Petchey in a focused training block ahead of the clay-court season. The benefits of that effort were evident on court in Madrid.
“It feels great to get through this one,” Raducanu said in her on-court interview. “I had to dig deep. It wasn’t always my best tennis, but I competed really well and stayed composed in the important moments.”
Lamens, ranked No. 73 in the world, pushed Raducanu throughout the match, especially in the second set where she raced to a 2-0 lead. But Raducanu responded with resilience, breaking twice and closing out the match with poise.
“It’s a big mental challenge coming into matches on clay, especially since I haven’t played many on this surface. It still feels a little unfamiliar,” she admitted.
“But I’m proud of how I competed. That’s one of my biggest strengths when I’m able to access it.”
Ahead of the tournament, Raducanu spoke candidly about her mental approach in 2025. After facing intense public scrutiny in recent years, she’s made a conscious effort to adopt a healthier mindset.
“I’ve realized I don’t need to be switched on 200 percent all the time,” she told Sky Sports Tennis.
“I don’t need to suffer or be so serious. I can enjoy myself more, and when it’s time to focus, I lock in. There’s a time and place for everything.”
That perspective shift seems to be paying off. Raducanu’s win propelled her to No. 47 in the live WTA Rankings. A victory in her next match against Marta Kostyuk could move her closer to a top-32 spot—potentially earning her a seeded place at Roland Garros.
She’s also inching toward a significant career prize money milestone. Currently sitting at $4.9 million, a deep run in Madrid could see her surpass the €5 million mark for the first time.
“To have won my first match on outdoor clay in years means a lot,” she said.
“I’m not the finished product, not even close. But I’m happy I gave myself another opportunity to play and gain more experience.”
Raducanu’s next test will be a familiar one—facing former rival Marta Kostyuk in the second round, three years after their last Madrid Open clash.
