Emma Raducanu is playing her best tennis in a while. |
Nearly three years ago, Raducanu stunned the tennis world by becoming the first woman to win the US Open from the qualifying round. The fairytale story made her name hailed as the "future queen" of British tennis.
But since that glorious moment, Raducanu has lived through a series of difficult days with ups and downs in performance, persistent injuries, changing coaches like changing clothes, and then the very people who once praised her began to question whether she was just a "star that bloomed and faded quickly"?
Raducanu is resurrected
But Wimbledon 2025 is answering that question in a surprising way. In the early hours of July 2, Raducanu set Centre Court ablaze with her best performance in years, defeating 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in just 82 minutes, with a clean score of 6-3, 6-3.
The moment that set the stage ablaze was, as Raducanu himself called it, “the best point of my life.” As Vondrousova came to the net, hitting a smash that seemed to kill her, Raducanu darted to the right, returned it with an incredible lob, then stepped up to finish with a tricky backhand in the corner. Center Court exploded, and so did Raducanu.
That rally encapsulated what Raducanu had lost and was trying to regain: grit, perseverance, and tenacity against a tough left-handed opponent like Vondrousova.
TennisViz 's analysis shows that Raducanu has a "point-stealing ratio" of 51%, meaning that for every point Vondrousova attacks, Raducanu wins more than half of it. This is the fourth-highest statistic in the Wimbledon women's draw so far.
Emma Raducanu played confidently and tenaciously. |
But she didn't just defend. Raducanu also took the initiative to attack, hitting backhands and righthands decisively, without holding back.
That confidence, she herself admitted, was something that disappeared during the first half of the year when Raducanu struggled without a coach, training aimlessly between Middle Eastern tournaments. And it was only when former British No. 1 Mark Petchey - Murray's mentor - returned that Raducanu found the compass to restore her form.
"I think today was the best match I've played in a long time," Raducanu said after the match. "Before, I was lacking confidence because I didn't have a guide. Now I know what I want to do, I believe in myself more. I know I can beat big opponents, as long as I stay focused."
Vondrousova, who defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2025 Berlin Open just a month before Wimbledon began, could only shake her head: "She played so well. In the rallies, Raducanu completely overwhelmed me."
Raducanu's answer
From the golden girl of the past, Raducanu is now mentioned as a formidable threat. In the third round, she will face the world's number 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka - the current warrior of women's tennis. No one will put Raducanu above, but at least, she is returning to the form that even Sabalenka must be wary of.
Emma Raducanu is ready to face Sabalenka. |
Tracy Austin - BBC expert , former US Open champion, admitted: "This is the first time I've seen Raducanu play like she did at the 2021 US Open. She returned serves wonderfully, and took the initiative to hit the ball extremely bravely. If Emma keeps this form, Sabalenka will have a headache."
Former British No. 1 tennis player Annabel Croft also commented: "Raducanu just sent a message to the whole tournament that I'm back. Sabalenka is of course strong, but if Raducanu plays at her best, anything can happen."
Surprisingly, Raducanu appeared extremely relaxed: "I don't feel any pressure. Sabalenka is world number 1, she has won everything, I just want to enjoy one more match at Wimbledon. Whatever the result, I have nothing to lose."
Of course, the lack of pressure is just Raducanu's way of calming herself down. She still sets high goals: "No player goes out on the court without expecting something. I have my own expectations of how I'm going to play, I want to continue playing tennis like this."
What made this journey special was the presence of her close friends from high school, who had been with her from the age of 6 to the time she became a US Open champion. They were there on Centre Court, shouting and celebrating with her. Raducanu said that these friends were her support system during her worst days.
Many people have asked whether Raducanu's career would "bloom and fade." And in the early morning of July 2, Raducanu answered the only way she knew how, with tennis that made everyone stand up and applaud.
There is still a mighty Sabalenka waiting ahead. But at least Wimbledon has found a princess, with a spirit that is no longer afraid, no longer trying to prove herself. Only Raducanu remains, and the belief that she is still worthy of love.
It was a glorious day at Centre Court and the 22-year-old is not ready to be forgotten.
Source: https://znews.vn/con-ai-nho-emma-raducanu-post1565632.html
Comment (0)