From fairytale to fightback — British tennis star Emma Raducanu may be poised for another Grand Slam breakthrough, says Caroline Wozniacki.
Emma Raducanu stunned the world in 2021 with one of the most improbable title runs in tennis history — a then-18-year-old qualifier ranked No. 150 powering to a US Open victory without dropping a set. The feat made her the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam and etched her name into sporting legend.
Fast forward to 2025, and Raducanu is still chasing a second major — but signs of a resurgence are beginning to shine through.
After years disrupted by injuries and inconsistency, the 22-year-old Brit has started to rebuild with the help of some high-profile additions to her team. She ended last season by recruiting Yutaka Nakamura — the renowned trainer who helped shape champions like Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.
This year, Raducanu found new spark in Miami under coach Mark Petchey, a respected figure in British tennis and former mentor to Andy Murray. The partnership paid immediate dividends: Raducanu surged to the quarter-finals at the Miami Open, her best WTA 1000 performance to date.
She hasn’t looked back since. With solid clay-court performances, including a fourth-round appearance in Rome, Raducanu has posted a promising 9-4 record since teaming up with Petchey. Now ranked No. 43 — her highest position since summer 2022 — the Brit appears to be on an upward curve heading into the French Open.
Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki believes Raducanu still has what it takes to win another Slam — if she can stay healthy.
“She’s definitely moving in the right direction,” Wozniacki said during a TNT Sports event. “She’s proven she can beat top players, and she’s got a Grand Slam to her name already — that doesn’t happen by accident.”
But Wozniacki was quick to temper expectations, pointing to the unpredictability of tournament draws and the physical demands of the tour.
“Being British at Wimbledon comes with pressure — but also incredible support. I hope she can enjoy that experience this summer,” she added. “With Petchey guiding her and if she stays fit, I absolutely believe she can go deep again.”
Raducanu will open her Roland Garros campaign against China’s Wang Xinyu — a tricky first test — and could face world No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek as early as the second round.
Whether or not another magical run is in the cards remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Raducanu is no longer the wide-eyed teen from 2021. She’s a seasoned competitor finding her footing — and perhaps, ready to write the next chapter of her Grand Slam story.
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