Life in the public eye isn’t easy—especially when you’re a tennis sensation who won the US Open at just 18.
For Emma Raducanu, even the quieter stretches of the tennis season come with relentless attention.
But as Wimbledon approaches, that spotlight becomes blinding—almost like the Eye of Sauron from Tolkien’s world, always watching.
Wimbledon Still Feels Like Magic—But With Pressure
Every year, Wimbledon stirs something deep in Emma.
The excitement, the buzz, the electricity of the crowd—it’s hard to match.
“It’s a huge occasion, always exciting,” she shares.
“Winning at Wimbledon is one of the best feelings. But yeah, you definitely feel the pressure.”
And in those high-pressure moments, who’s around you matters a lot.
Emma’s thankful for the team she has now, with coach Mark Petchey at the helm.
Trust Doesn’t Come Easily—But It Matters
“You’re not going to feel totally comfortable all the time,” Emma admits.
“But being able to open up, to be vulnerable with people you trust—that’s what makes the difference.”
She knows there are moments when things get overwhelming—maybe emotions flare, maybe her reactions aren’t perfect.
But having a support system that doesn’t take things personally? That’s everything.
Learning to Speak Out After Feeling Silenced
It hasn’t always been this way.
Earlier this year in Rome, Emma talked about how hard it’s been to trust others—especially with how quickly stories get twisted.
“There were times I didn’t even want to speak because I was scared it’d be gossiped about or misunderstood,” she says.
“So I kept it all inside. But that’s not helpful on court. I play best when I’m expressive.”
That 2021 Wimbledon Run: A Spark of Joy
It’s easy to forget that before her historic US Open win, Raducanu lit up Wimbledon in 2021, reaching the fourth round as a complete unknown.
She wasn’t just a great player—she was a breath of fresh air at a time when the world needed it most.
Her smile stole hearts. She walked out smiling, played smiling, and won smiling. That pure joy was infectious.
Battling Through Injuries, But Still Choosing Joy
Since then, life hasn’t exactly gone easy on her.
She’s dealt with injuries, personal struggles, even stalkers.
Once again, she enters a Grand Slam carrying a back injury.
But through it all, she’s determined to find her smile again.
“I want to hold onto that joy,” she says, reflecting on 2021.
“I’ve realized how short this time in tennis really is. It goes by so fast.”
She recently listened to Ana Ivanovic talk about wishing she had enjoyed her career more, and that hit home.
“I’m 22 now. I want to live in a way that my future self won’t have regrets. I want to enjoy this moment before it slips away.”
Off-Court Peace Helps On-Court Performance
While her doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz may let off steam partying in Ibiza, Raducanu is more of a book-and-tea person.
She’s currently diving into Zero to One by Peter Thiel and taking an art history course to stimulate her creative side.
“I’ve always done logic-heavy subjects—maths and economics,” she says.
“Art history is a whole new way of thinking. It’s challenging but fascinating.”
Coach Petchey is helping her reframe how she sees her journey.
His message? Forget the US Open win—it’s time to build the next chapter. Back to zero.
Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Creativity
“The hardest thing is not comparing every result to that Grand Slam win,” Emma says.
“I keep thinking, ‘I’ve done that, so why not this?’ But I’m learning to lower those expectations and just enjoy the process.”
That shift is helping her find freedom in her game. Studying Monet and the Impressionists has even helped her tap into creativity on court.
“I used to think everything had to be precise—A, B, C. But I’ve found that I’m at my best when I’m free, having fun. It’s not about being ‘on’ all the time.”
She knows some people might see laughter on court as unserious.
But for her, joy is the key to playing her best tennis.
Low Expectations, But High Hopes
Going into this year’s Wimbledon, expectations are modest—especially with a tough draw that includes world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and her nagging back issue.
But if there’s anything she’s learned since 2021, it’s that joy can be a powerful weapon.
If Emma Raducanu can rediscover that spark, that smile—who knows what she might achieve?