Raducanu’s Gritty Miami Win Feels Just as Meaningful as a Major
After everything she’s endured on and off the court, Emma Raducanu says even early-round victories now hold the same emotional weight as her US Open triumph.
On Friday at the Miami Open, Raducanu secured her biggest win of the year, defeating world No. 8 Emma Navarro 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-6(3) in a thrilling second-round battle. The 22-year-old collapsed in celebration, tossing her racket in the air before covering her face. After handshakes with her opponent and the umpire, she soaked in the moment with her team, exchanging high-fives.
Having faced injuries, struggles, and off-court challenges since her historic 2022 US Open victory, Raducanu admitted that each win now carries deep significance.
“I know I won the US Open, but after everything I’ve been through, the wins now feel so much more meaningful,” Raducanu shared after the match. “Not necessarily in magnitude, but emotionally.
“When I won the US Open, I cruised through 10 matches without dropping a set. I hadn’t experienced the losses, the setbacks, or the long months of struggle.”
Digging Deep in Grueling Conditions
Playing in Miami’s humid conditions, battling fatigue and painful blisters, Raducanu showed her resilience. Down 6-5 in the third set, she found a third wind, breaking back and ultimately prevailing in a match she described as “physically, mentally, and tennis-wise” exhausting.
The win marked her first career victory over a Top 10 player on hard courts—an unexpected stat for a hard-court Grand Slam champion. Her previous Top 10 wins came last year on grass at Eastbourne (Jessica Pegula) and Wimbledon (Maria Sakkari).
“It’s my biggest win of the year, and taking everything into account, probably my best performance too,” Raducanu told Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj.
She credited her ability to stay composed in tight moments, saying, “When it gets to 5-5 or 6-6, I find this inner calm. I try not to overthink—because thinking makes things worse.”
Navigating Off-Court Challenges
While Raducanu has been searching for her best tennis on the court, off the court has been equally demanding. Recently, she experienced a disturbing incident in Dubai involving a “fixated” fan who was swiftly removed by security. Now traveling with personal security, Raducanu leans on her tight-knit team for support.
“My goal is to feel more stable and secure in my surroundings,” she said. “This week, I have amazing people around me. I feel safe, happy, and I want to fight for them.”
Balancing Work and Play
Raducanu is also learning to keep things fun and relaxed during the tournament, incorporating American football, soccer, and cornhole into her warm-ups.
“I’ve been learning how to throw a football,” she laughed. “My trainer, who lived in America, has been helping me tighten my spiral.”
She enjoys the interactive, game-like warm-ups, saying, “It’s a great pulse raiser, and honestly, it’s a lot more fun than just running in a straight line.”
Next Up: McCartney Kessler
Through to the third round in Miami for the first time, Raducanu will face 25-year-old American McCartney Kessler on Sunday. Kessler, who shocked world No. 3 Coco Gauff in Dubai, took down 30th seed Linda Noskova to advance.
Raducanu will be looking to build on her momentum as she continues her Miami run—one hard-fought victory at a time.
