Who says warming up has to be all business? For Emma Raducanu, mixing a little fun with focus is starting to pay off big time at the Italian Open.
The British tennis star is embracing a lighter, more relaxed approach to her game—and it’s translating into serious wins on the court.
After battling back from a set down, Raducanu stormed through her third-round match to defeat Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.
Now, she’s gearing up for a high-stakes fourth-round face-off with none other than American sensation Coco Gauff.
Channeling Messi and Kicking Around Confidence
What’s behind Raducanu’s improved vibe lately? It turns out, a bit of football might be part of the secret sauce.
“I’ve been playing football a lot,” Raducanu said with a grin.
“I’ve actually started beating people in my team. I found out I’m left-footed too, which I’m oddly proud of!”
When asked if that makes her a bit like Lionel Messi, she laughed and replied, “Exactly, just like Messi!” Clearly, the playful spirit is helping her reset mentally—and it’s showing in her results.
Soaking Up Rome and Letting Go of Pressure
Beyond the court, Raducanu’s been soaking up the magic of Rome during her downtime.
She visited the iconic Spanish Steps and did a bit of window shopping.
“I got some inspiration,” she joked, “but I’ll need a few more rounds of prize money before I buy anything!”
So far, she’s earned around £56,000 in this tournament.
But more importantly, she’s made history for herself—this is the first time she’s ever won three matches in a clay court tournament.
And she did it in style, snapping a ten-match streak where she previously lost every match after dropping the first set.
A Big Challenge Awaits Against Coco Gauff
Up next? A huge test against Coco Gauff, a player who’s no stranger to success on clay.
In fact, Gauff reached the French Open final, so Raducanu knows she’s got her work cut out for her.
“I hadn’t even looked at the draw,” she admitted when Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon broke the news on-air. “Are you sure I’m playing Coco?” she joked.
Later, reflecting more seriously on the upcoming battle, she said: “It’s a great challenge.
I’ll have to really execute my game well. She’s amazing on clay, so I’ll need to bring my top level.”
Turning Strategy into Style on the Clay
One of the most impressive things about Raducanu’s win over Kudermetova was how she completely flipped the match after a close first set.
From the second set onward, she blended deep, looping forehands with sharp backhand slices.
It was a masterclass in smart, adaptive clay court tennis.
Her opponent, once ranked world No. 9, simply couldn’t keep up with the variety and pace Raducanu brought to the table.
From “Hacker” to Versatile Shot-Maker
Raducanu wasn’t always this tactical. “When I was under nine, I was just hacking—basically chipping balls back until the other person made a mistake,” she admitted.
As she grew through the ranks, coaches pushed her toward a more aggressive, dominant style.
“We even had quotas—like we had to hit one winner and one drive volley in the first game,” she recalled. That boxed her into being a strict baseliner.
But now? She’s mixing it up. “In practice, I’ve been playing around, trying different things,” she said.
“I’m exploring my creativity again, and I feel like I have more tools than I used to.”
Eyes on the Future, Feet on the Ground
With her ranking already rising from world No. 49 to at least No. 42, Raducanu is on the verge of overtaking Katie Boulter as British No. 1. But she’s not letting that distract her.
The real focus is on staying grounded, staying loose, and staying true to her evolving game.
Monday’s match against Gauff is set to be a big one.
But with her new mindset and rediscovered love for the game, Emma Raducanu looks more than ready for the challenge.