PICTURE: Emma Raducanu sweats through intense training in redemption bid for US Open days after Cincinnati loss
Following her third-round loss to Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open on August 11, 2025, Emma Raducanu is channeling her energy into an intense training regimen to prepare for the US Open, starting August 18, 2025. The 2021 US Open champion shared a glimpse of her post-workout session on Instagram, posting a sweat-drenched selfie captioned with a water droplet emoji, signaling her commitment to a redemption bid at Flushing Meadows.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-picture-emma-raducanu-sweats-intense-training-redemption-bid-us-open-days-cincinnati-loss)
Raducanu’s Cincinnati campaign showed promise despite the 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) defeat to the world No. 1. She pushed Sabalenka to a third-set tiebreak, an improvement from their Wimbledon clash in July, where she lost 7-6(8-6), 6-4. Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu told The Guardian, “This is my first year on tour playing most of the calendar. I had a tough start to the year, but in the last few months, I’ve been building, and the level has been increasing. The players I’m losing to are all top players, so that gives me confidence.” She added, “Since I won [the US Open], it’s not been easy for me there. But this year, I feel different, I’m a lot calmer behind the court.”
Under the guidance of new coach Francis Roig, formerly Rafael Nadal’s mentor, Raducanu is focusing on elevating her game. Her Cincinnati performance included a strong 6-3, 6-2 win over Olga Danilovic, showcasing maturity and discipline. Roig’s influence emphasizes improving every shot, with Raducanu noting, “It’s just, ‘the level needs to be better.’ We need to get every shot better.” This approach aligns with her goal to refine shot quality and consistency, as seen in practice sessions with players like Rebecca Sramkova.[](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/tennis/2025/08/09/emma-raducanu-victory-cincinnati-open-second-round/85594340007/)[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45933964/cincinnati-open-emma-raducanu-win-3rd-round-olga-danilovic)[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/what-was-noticeable-during-emma-raducanus-first-practice-session-with-francis-roig-at-the-cincinnati-open/)
The Cincinnati loss, though disappointing, highlighted Raducanu’s growing resilience. She started poorly but rallied, a stark contrast to earlier 2025 setbacks, like her third-round Australian Open loss to Iga Swiatek (6-1, 6-0) and a third-round exit to Amanda Anisimova at the National Bank Open. Her current world ranking of No. 33, up from No. 39, reflects steady progress, though she may miss a US Open seeding without a deeper Cincinnati run.[
Raducanu’s preparation includes teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz for the US Open mixed doubles, a $1 million prize event, adding intrigue to her campaign. Her intense training, driven by a desire to reclaim her 2021 form, mirrors the strategic focus of athletes like Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin in the Davis Cup, prioritizing peak performance for high-stakes moments. With Roig’s expertise and a calmer mindset, Raducanu is poised to make a strong case for redemption at Flushing Meadows.[]
