Emma Raducanu Opens Up About How She Lost Herself in the Past and Reveals Her Current State

Emma Raducanu says she can finally confirm that she feels like herself again in every way. The British tennis star admitted on her return to the US Open that she had lost herself a bit after a historic victory that changed her life.

As probably everyone knows very well, Raducanu achieved something that had never been done before: she became the first male or female qualifier to ever win a Grand Slam. Now, exactly three years later, the 21-year-old Briton is about to make her third appearance at Flushing Meadows.

But unlike 2022 – the year her US Open title defense ended in the first round – Raducanu is now feeling fully healthy after three successful surgeries last May. And since returning to tennis healthy and avoiding major injuries and setbacks, Raducanu has appeared happier on court and that has translated positively into her game.

“I just play so much better when I’m happy and when I show my personality. I think I’ve played a lot more freely in the last month. I’ve expressed myself, I’ve fought and there’s been a lot of passion, I’ve been combative. And that’s me. I’m really tenacious and determined,” Raducanu said on the latest episode of Sky Sports Editions.

After winning the 2021 US Open in this way, Raducanu went from a promising teenager to a tennis superstar and one of the most popular players. And for Raducanu – who was 18 at the time – it was difficult to navigate it all, because her stardom happened almost overnight.

The biggest problem, however, was the constant criticism and scrutiny Raducanu had to endure when she failed to achieve great results and big wins after becoming a Slam champion. But since then, the 21-year-old Brit has developed a thick skin and has learned to deal with certain things in a much better way and just block them out.

“I would say I’ve fluctuated. I think in the past I was always playing a role and sometimes not enjoying certain moments freely and carefree. I’m much better now at just expressing myself,” Raducanu admitted.

Raducanu feels ‘carefree’ and says ‘a real fire’ is back

After undergoing multiple surgeries last year to repair wrist and ankle problems that had plagued her for some time, Raducanu had a lot of free time, although it was limited at first because she had to use a wheelchair and crutches. But after everything settled down and she was able to move again, she went on a trip to China to explore the culture there.

The Brit also played some piano and dabbled in art. Those were just some of the hobbies and interests the 21-year-old discovered during her time away from tennis, and all of that helped Raducanu in some ways.

“I would call myself an artist because even when we play tennis, we are actually entertainers. It’s about our creativity on the court, how we construct the points, how we deal with different situations and adversity – also what strokes and geometry we can use on the court. And it’s more than just tennis. It’s almost like we play the piano when we’re on the court, it’s how we express ourselves,” Raducanu explained.

And now Raducanu’s joy is fully back, but also the desire and determination to get where she wants to be.

“I just feel a real fire and desire back. I have that spark back and that’s what I’m most happy about,” Raducanu added.

Raducanu has learned to do only what she thinks is best for her.

Raducanu has raised some eyebrows in recent months after she opted out of the French Open and the Paris Olympics. Reflecting on the matter, Raducanu admitted that she has felt pressured in the past to play in certain tournaments or to do things a certain way.

But then came a point where she realized that it was only harming her. That’s when she told herself that she would only do what she and her team thought was best for her.

“I would say it’s quite natural, after becoming a different person almost overnight. At such a young age, it’s easy to get caught up in it. At one point, I was chasing, playing too many tournaments when I wasn’t ready, and getting pain after pain in every tournament because I never really gave myself the time to train and work. I think I did a lot better this year,” Raducanu said in June.

“Even though I might be challenged or questioned for not playing certain tournaments, like the French Open or the Olympics, that’s just part of taking things at my own pace and doing things the way I want to do them instead of what other people think is best for me. At the end of the day, me and the few people around me know what’s best for me and my game.”