It’s true that keeping your head high matters, and Emma Raducanu seems to be doing just that in the 2025 season. Raducanu’s finesse was clear when she won the 2021 US Open, her only WTA title to date. Since then, she has experienced ups and downs, battling foot injuries and back spasms and undergoing wrist and ankle surgeries from 2023 into last year, which led her to retire early from the 2024 Korea Open. However, the 2025 season hasn’t been smooth sailing either, but she’s not giving up.

The year was supposed to be her comeback, but her body had other plans. She withdrew from the Auckland Open with a “back niggle.” Then, Iga Swiatek stopped her in the Australian Open’s third round. After that, Raducanu headed to the Middle East, grabbing wildcards for tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. She chased her first victory since her second-round win against Amanda Anisimova in Australia but faced first-round exits in all three tournaments.

Despite these setbacks, Raducanu remains positive. As she told The National on Sunday, “I’m very appreciative, very grateful for all the wildcards I’ve received the last few weeks. I just really wanted to fight, do my best.“ At the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Emma scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Maria Sakkari. Raducanu now holds a 3-0 head-to-head lead over Sakkari. This win ended her losing streak and proved she can still dominate top players.

What’s causing this change? Her team seems to be behind her optimistic demeanor. As she phrased it, “I think something really important has been having amazing people around me. Jane, who I’ve known forever, she’s like a big sister to me. And Yutaka as well, their belief is unwavering, even though yours might quiver a little bit from time to time.” Before her Qatar tournament, Raducanu split from coach Nick Cavaday, who was working with her at the start of 2025. She’s since brought on old mentor Jane O’Donoghue, who seems to be making a difference in her mentality.

Raducanu now faces Karolina Muchova in the round of 32 in Dubai, and it remains to be seen if she can build a winning streak. Although Raducanu has never faced Muchova before, her recent performance and regained confidence could give her an edge against the Czech player. Beyond Dubai, Raducanu will compete alongside top players like Madison Keys and Katie Boulter at the HSBC Champion in June 2025.

Raducanu to play in London at the Queens Club

Get ready to see British stars Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu, alongside former world No.1 Naomi Osaka and 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys, electrify the courts at the new HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club this summer. Adding even more star power, Russian world No. 11 Daria Kasatkina has also signed up for the event, marking the return of elite women’s tennis to the iconic West London venue in June for the first time in over half a century. The tournament promises a spectacular week of competition right before the traditional men’s tournament.

Laura Robson, the WTA HSBC Championships tournament director, is buzzing with excitement: “I’m thrilled to confirm Katie, Emma, Madison, and Naomi will be headlining the HSBC Championships in June. Fans will see some of the best female players on the planet, and with three Grand Slam champions and the British number one in the mix, it promises to be a spectacular return to The Queen’s Club for women’s tennis.”

For Emma, this tournament is a golden opportunity to ignite her grass-court season in front of her home crowd. After a challenging 2024 filled with injuries and inconsistency, the 2021 US Open champion is aiming to build momentum leading up to Wimbledon. Recent signs indicate she’s regaining her form, making the HSBC Championships the perfect stage for a strong summer comeback. Can she rediscover the magic that led her to Grand Slam glory?