2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu hopes to continue her upward trajectory in the coming season, following a solid 2024 after returning from injury. The British player underwent surgeries on both wrists, which kept her out for nearly nine months, but this year marked the start of her comeback.
The former World No. 10 was outside the top 300 as of April this year, and despite a limited schedule, she managed to climb back up the rankings to reach the top 60 (currently No. 58). While she's still some distance from the very top, she no longer needs to rely on wildcards to enter the main draws of Grand Slam and WTA 1000 events.
'Mentally stronger' and ready to compete
Raducanu is gearing up for the Billie Jean King Cup, where she and Katie Boulter will lead the British team against Germany next season. The 22-year-old performed well in the last series against France, with two impressive victories, proving that Raducanu's skill level is still there, at least to compete at the highest level.
However, injuries weren’t entirely absent, as her last tournament, the Korea Open in September, saw her sustain a foot injury while facing Daria Kasatkina in the quarterfinals, after losing the first set (1-6).
Looking ahead to the series against Germany, Raducanu shared that she feels more mentally prepared than ever. “Mentally I feel like I am in a better place to compete now than I ever have been before since the US Open,” Raducanu said, according to the NZ Herald. “It’s going to probably take me some tournaments to get up to speed, but once I do, I am in a better headspace to compete now,” she added regarding the upcoming season.
Until few days ago, there were still doubts about Raducanu's readiness for the Billie Jean King Cup series, but a recent statement from the LTA cleared things up. “Emma is training well and being with the team next week is her focus,” they announced.
If all goes as planned, the former US Open champion will be the second singles player and will face Germany's No. 2, Eva Lys. Katie Boulter, the primary player for Britain, will take on Jule Niemeier as the team aims to advance to the quarterfinals, where they would face defending champions Canada, led by Leylah Fernandez.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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