For four years, Emma Raducanu’s life has unfolded under relentless public scrutiny. Every choice on and off the court has been magnified, and her private life has often overshadowed her tennis. Yet as she prepares for her return to the US Open, the 22-year-old is in her strongest mindset since that extraordinary breakthrough in 2021.
The curiosity around Raducanu extends beyond sport. From intrusive questions about her relationships to being trailed by paparazzi, she has grown accustomed to unwelcome attention. More troubling have been encounters with stalkers, including one who followed her across multiple countries. These experiences forced her to become more vigilant about safety, rarely stepping out alone.
Her rapid rise in New York four years ago brought fame and fortune but also immense challenges. Physically, her body struggled to keep pace. After constant injuries and repeated overtraining, she underwent surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in 2023. While some doubted her toughness, she now believes it was poor management, not lack of resilience, that pushed her to breaking point. “I was covering up pain, still pushing through, and it led me to surgery,” she reflects.
Mentally, she wrestled with the shadow of her US Open triumph. For years, every result was measured against that fairytale victory, turning success into a burden. Only recently has she shifted focus towards gradual improvement and daily work, learning to accept the process rather than living in comparison.
Despite recommendations, Raducanu found little solace in therapy, insisting no one could truly relate to her unique path. Instead, she has leaned on her upbringing, shaped by strict parents who instilled discipline and resilience. Their tough love, combined with her multicultural background, has helped her stay grounded amid fame.
Her injury layoff became a turning point. Away from the game, she travelled, explored new hobbies such as piano and painting, and embraced a more creative side that now influences her playing style. This self-discovery has given her clarity in decision-making, including how she handles coaches and her career direction.
Now, with a new coach and a growing sense of balance, Raducanu is approaching the future with renewed confidence. Her ambitions go beyond titles she wants to sustain her joy in the sport, finding fulfilment in the daily grind of training and competing. As she returns to New York, she does so stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever to define her own legacy
