“I finally feel ready to enjoy the US Open again”: Emma Raducanu at peace ahead of return to home of 2021 triumph

Emma Raducanu returns to New York this week with a sense of calm and confidence she admits wasn’t there when she last came back to Flushing Meadows. Speaking ahead of the 2025 US Open, the 2021 champion reflected on her preparation, her new partnership with coach Francisco Roig, and how her outlook on tennis has evolved since her stunning breakthrough.

“I feel good overall,” Raducanu began. “I think I’ve been practising pretty well. I’ve had a good few weeks in America, playing in Canada as well, and got some matches in. Then, yeah, a tough match with Aryna [Sabalenka] in Cincy, but it was another one to build on and was closer than when I played her at Wimbledon.”

Part of her build-up this summer included a crowd-pleasing mixed doubles appearance with Carlos Alcaraz, which Raducanu thoroughly enjoyed.

“I think it would be so fun if all the Slams got involved and did something similar, even if it’s not the exact same format, because it was a huge success,” she said. “So many fans got involved, so many people were watching and tuned in, and it got a lot of attention. I had a lot of fun on the court playing with Carlos.”

Raducanu has linked up with long-time Rafael Nadal coach Francisco Roig since Wimbledon, and she says the partnership is already showing promise. “We’re working a lot on the court, putting in a lot of hours,” she explained. “He loves spending time on court as well, but we find a good balance. It’s not all just serious and time passes so fast, which is a good sign. Overall, it’s about improving the quality of my shots. So far it’s been going pretty well, but I need more time for sure.”

The Spaniard’s years alongside Nadal also bring a reassuring presence to her team. “He’s very experienced, and you can tell at these big events there’s a big element of calm assurance. There’s no stress or panic, which rubs off on me. Even if things aren’t going perfect, I feel I can just trust in my game more.”

Raducanu revealed that after Wimbledon she wanted stability in her camp heading into the US swing. “Mark [Petchey] helped me so much since Miami, but we knew it was going to be difficult to continue with his commitments. After Wimbledon, I asked Jane (O'Donoughue), who’s looking after me, if we had any more ideas. Ideally, I wanted to come into the US swing knowing I had a coach. That’s how it happened, and Francisco couldn’t start until Cincy, but since then we’ve been practising and working well.”

She has not yet pressed Roig for Nadal stories, but admitted: “I know over time I’ll probably ask more and more questions. He has so much experience. In Montreal he even joked with me after my match, saying, ‘Emma, you can’t lose on that court – I came out of retirement for my only doubles there!’ So that was a good omen.”

In Cincinnati, cameras picked up how vocal Roig was from the sidelines. Raducanu said that wasn’t by design, but by necessity. “When you play here in these stadiums, especially in America, there’s a lot of music and movement. Even if the coach is shouting, you can’t hear anything. To be heard you have to shout. I remember one point I went over because I couldn’t hear anything, then the umpire told me I couldn’t stand there – but I couldn’t hear anyway! Francisco gets involved when he feels I need it, but if I’m playing well he leaves me to it.”

Asked to compare her feelings now to when she first returned to New York in 2022, Raducanu admitted the contrast is stark. “I really struggled when I came back in 2022. I didn’t enjoy it. But now, for the first time, I feel like I can come back to the US Open and really enjoy the memories I made here, be proud of that, and see it as a happy place. I feel very grateful for that.”

Recent results have also boosted her preparation. “I came out to DC, made the semis, then went to Montreal, then Cincy where I had a good match with Aryna. I’ve put in good practice the last 10 days, so I feel relatively prepared – as ready as I can be. You’re never going to feel completely perfect, but I feel ready.”

One lighter question touched on the sometimes-awkward handovers during practice sessions when players overstay their slot. Raducanu laughed: “For sure you’ve got 25 seconds left and you’re playing the last point – seven out of ten times you end up double faulting. That happened to me today! Maybe you feel pressure if the next group has a big team waiting, but it’s always a funny interaction because the point usually ends up being either terrible or unbelievable. I’ve never had a bad experience though.”

Looking back at her breakthrough in 2021 and the scrutiny that followed, Raducanu admitted her outlook has changed. “Compared to four years ago, I feel relaxed and happy. I feel the same off court in terms of enjoying tennis, practising, competing, and the process of getting better. But I’m more aware now of everything that’s possible. When I won in 2021, I didn’t know about this world of potential negativity and bringing players down. That affected me a lot in the last few years, and it still gets to me sometimes.

“But overall I think I can enjoy what I’m doing day to day a lot more. I have good people around me, and I’m just happy that I’m in this place with my tennis.”