March 26th 2025.
The Miami Open has been a rollercoaster for Emma Raducanu, who was faced with questions about her coach's sudden departure after just one match. But as the tournament progresses, the tables have turned for the British tennis star.
After winning four consecutive matches for the first time since her historic US Open victory in 2021, Raducanu has now secured a spot in the quarter-finals where she will face off against World No. 4 Jessica Pegula. This is arguably the biggest match for Raducanu since her breakthrough moment at Flushing Meadows, four and a half years ago. However, her journey back to this point has been far from easy.
Raducanu has faced serious injuries, a decline in rankings, and personal struggles off the court, but she has now emerged as a true contender on the court. So, what has changed for the 22-year-old?
The weight of expectations has been a major challenge for Raducanu ever since her sensational Grand Slam triumph in 2021, hindering her progress. In an attempt to find that winning formula once again, she has been unafraid to make changes, going through eight coaches in her relatively short professional career.
Interestingly, it seems that not having a full-time coach and focusing on keeping things familiar and fun has been beneficial for Raducanu. As she puts it, "I feel comfortable. I feel like in my environment, in my surroundings with the people I'm with, I feel pretty relaxed, and I can be myself and expressive and true to myself. That's important for me."
Raducanu has always been known for her hard work and intense focus, but she admits that the pressure and intensity can sometimes be overwhelming. And so, she has found a secret weapon in the form of the mini-trampoline game Spikeball, which she plays with her new-look team before matches. According to Raducanu, they bring "small doses of happiness" that keep her going.
Her team, consisting of childhood mentor and former LTA coach Jane O'Donoghue and developmental coach Mark Petchey, has been a major support for Raducanu this week. Having familiar faces around her, who have been through her journey with her and can lift her up, has made a big difference for her.
Raducanu's recent success cannot be attributed solely to her relaxed environment, as her fitness and serving have also improved in recent weeks and months. Bringing on renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura in December has had an immediate impact, making her more durable on the court. Additionally, her serve, which was once considered a major weakness, has seen significant improvement, thanks to her brief stint with coach Vladimir Platenik.
As Raducanu prepares to face Pegula in the quarter-finals, she is already guaranteed a return to the top 50 in the world rankings. This is a significant achievement, but she knows that to truly make a comeback, she will have to maintain consistent performances over the next few months – something that has been a challenge for her in the past.
The upcoming match against Pegula won't be an easy task, with the 31-year-old American being the favorite due to her higher ranking and experience in winning WTA Tour trophies. However, Raducanu has nothing to lose and has already proven that she can beat top-10 opponents, having defeated Pegula on grass at the Eastbourne International last year.
Raducanu's aggressive style of play, with powerful groundstrokes and a strong two-handed backhand, could pose a challenge for Pegula. And while Pegula may have the upper hand based on their previous meeting on a hard court, Raducanu is focused on continuing her winning streak and making a comeback to the top of the tennis world.
Looking ahead, Raducanu will have to adapt to the slower pace of clay courts as she prepares for the French Open, a tournament she has not participated in for the past two years. And with Wimbledon coming up later in the summer, her goal will be to improve her record at the tournament and regain her "fear factor" on the court.
But for now, things are looking brighter than ever for Britain's rising tennis star, who has shown her competitive spirit and embraced her underdog status at the Miami Open. With her newfound confidence and support from her team, Raducanu is ready to take on whatever challenges come her way.
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