The 2025 US Open proved to be a pivotal moment for both Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka, as the former Grand Slam champions made significant strides in the WTA rankings following their performances at Flushing Meadows. The tournament, which concluded on September 7, 2025, saw Aryna Sabalenka claim her second consecutive US Open title, but Raducanu and Osaka’s impressive runs highlighted their resurgence on the global stage.
Raducanu’s Rankings Leap
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, continued her steady climb back up the WTA rankings, rising two places to world No. 34 after reaching the third round in New York. The 22-year-old Brit, who started 2024 ranked as low as No. 61, showcased her potential with convincing victories over Ena Shibahara and qualifier Janice Tjen before falling to world No. 10 Elena Rybakina in a 6-1, 6-2 defeat. Despite the loss, Raducanu’s performance marked her ninth win in 11 matches at the US Open, reinforcing her affinity for the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a story of resilience and progress. After battling injuries in 2023, including surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle, she climbed nearly 250 spots in the rankings last year to finish at No. 57. This year, her consistent play—highlighted by a semi-final run at the WTA 500 Citi DC Open in Washington, a third-round appearance at the Cincinnati Open, and a fourth-round showing at Wimbledon—has positioned her just outside the top 30. With the Asian swing, including the WTA 1000 China Open starting September 24, 2025, on the horizon, Raducanu is well-placed to secure a seeding for the 2026 Australian Open if she maintains her form. Her recent performances, backed by new coach Francis Roig (formerly Rafael Nadal’s coach), suggest she is rediscovering the form that led to her historic 2021 US Open title.
Osaka’s Remarkable Rise
Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, made an even more dramatic move, soaring 10 places to world No. 14 after reaching the US Open semi-finals. The 27-year-old Japanese star, who started 2024 unranked following her maternity break, delivered her best Grand Slam result since the 2021 Australian Open. Osaka’s path to the semi-finals included victories over top players like Daria Kasatkina, Coco Gauff, and Karolina Muchova, showcasing her signature powerful ball-striking and improved movement. Although she fell to Sabalenka in the semi-finals, Osaka’s run marked her first Slam last-four appearance in over four years and solidified her comeback.
Osaka’s 2025 has been a tale of redemption. After winning her first title in four years at the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo in May, she leapfrogged Raducanu to No. 48 and continued her ascent with a runner-up finish at the Canadian Open and strong showings in Washington and Miami. Her nine wins in her last 10 matches before the US Open semi-final loss underscored her return to elite-level consistency. Osaka’s emotional reflection after Saint-Malo—“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst”—highlighted her growth and adaptability. With 24 places gained in the rankings after the Canadian Open and now sitting at No. 14, Osaka is virtually assured of a seeding at the 2026 Australian Open.
### A Broader Rankings Shake-Up
The US Open triggered significant movement in the WTA rankings. Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament champion, maintained her No. 1 spot with a commanding 12,010 points, extending her lead over Coco Gauff (No. 2, 7,669 points) and Iga Swiatek (No. 3, 6,933 points). Amanda Anisimova climbed five places to No. 4 after her runner-up finish, while Spain’s Cristina Bucsa made the largest jump in the top 100, soaring 33 places to No. 62 after reaching the round of 16. Other notable risers included Alexandra Eala, Ann Li, Barbora Krejcikova, and Marketa Vondrousova, each gaining over 10 places.
Looking Ahead
Both Raducanu and Osaka are poised for strong finishes to the 2025 season. Raducanu, now the British No. 1 after overtaking Katie Boulter at the Citi DC Open, is targeting a top-20 return to secure a Grand Slam seeding. Her upcoming schedule includes the China Open, where she hopes to build on her 26 wins in 2025—her highest single-season tally. Osaka, meanwhile, is set to compete at the Italian Open and other WTA events, aiming to reclaim her place among the top 10. Her recent split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou and renewed focus suggest she is far from done.
The resurgence of Raducanu and Osaka adds intrigue to the women’s game, which is already dominated by stars like Sabalenka, Gauff, and Swiatek. As both players continue their comebacks, their performances at Flushing Meadows signal that they are ready to challenge the elite once more. With the Asian swing looming, tennis fans can expect more fireworks from these two Grand Slam champions.
