‘Resilient’ Emma Raducanu Strives to Be ‘Best Version’ of Herself Despite Setbacks

Emma Raducanu has made it clear that she will not be giving up on her dreams easily. That despite setbacks, she will continue to work toward becoming the best version of herself. Raducanu recently played her career’s second final. At the Winners Open, the Brit lost to Sorana Cirstea in the title clash.

Then, in the two WTA 1000 events in the Middle East Swing, Raducanu suffered opening-round exits. At the Qatar Open, she gave the walkover to Camila Osorio, while at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Antonia Ruzic knocked her out in three sets. She played in the Dubai event for the second time in her career. In her debut run last year, she exited after making the second round.

Raducanu, however, is convinced of her ability to get up and fight in spite of her constant struggles. During her interview with The Guardian, Raducanu revealed the most important life lesson she has learned.

Sport is a great vehicle for learning life lessons. I think resilience is the most important lesson I can take away from this. Because the season is so long, it’s very difficult to be on the court all the time if you’re playing all these tournaments that are now mandatory. My goal is to give my best every day and strive to be the best version of myself. But I think I know that, whatever challenge comes my way, I may fall seven times, but I will get up eight.

Prior to the Winners Open, the last time Raducanu won four consecutive matches in an event was in last year’s Miami Open, where, in the semifinals, eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula eliminated her.

Emma Raducanu is looking forward to playing at Wimbledon

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam after the US Open where Emma Raducanu has made the fourth round. She has reached the last 16 twice: in 2021 and 2024. Last year, her run ended in the third round. During that aforementioned interview with The Guardian, Raducanu opened up about how it feels to play in her home Grand Slam event.

I’m incredibly excited. That month of the year on the grass is something really special that all Brits look forward to. It was my first big tournament, my first big win, my first big match. And it holds a special place in my heart. I feel like the British public has seen a lot of the steps I’ve taken as I’ve grown. Having to retire from that fourth-round match and then, a few months later, winning the US Open was very special. I feel like everyone knows my story. So, coming back to Wimbledon makes me feel very comfortable.

During that interview, Raducanu also revealed the reason behind her separation from coach Francis Roig, who was also a longtime coach of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. Raducanu said they did not agree on certain aspects, and hence the partnership did not work. She has also made it clear that she was not actively looking for a coach.

Raducanu suffered from a viral infection while in Romania and has yet to recover from it completely. She wishes to be fully recovered before Indian Wells, which starts on March 4. Raducanu has made the fourth round in Indian Wells just once, in 2023. Last year, Moyuka Uchijima defeated her in the first round.

In WTA 1000 events, Raducanu produced her best when she made the quarterfinals of the 2025 Miami Open. Apart from the Miami Open, the other time Raducanu reached the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event last year was at the Italian Open.

Also read: Grigor Dimitrov Opens Up on Changes to His Game Since Injury against Jannik Sinner in Wimbledon

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