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Emma Raducanu explains why she avoids close friendships with fellow players while competing on the WTA Tour

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu

It’s been four rollercoaster years since Emma Raducanu stunned the world with her historic US Open victory.

Now 22, the British tennis star is opening up not just about her game—but about the emotional toll of life on the WTA Tour and why making friends in the tennis world isn’t as simple as it sounds.

“Hard to Be Close With People You Might Have to Beat”

Speaking ahead of her second-round match at the Washington Open, where she’s set to face Naomi Osaka, Raducanu was asked about her connections with fellow players.

Her answer? Honest and revealing.

“It’s hard to fully open up to someone when you know you might have to face them on court,” she admitted.

“I’ve got a few friends on tour, but when you play them, it definitely adds a layer of complexity.”

She made it clear that while she has a trusted circle back home, those deep friendships are rare on the tour.

For Raducanu, it’s not about avoiding people—it’s about keeping the competitive edge sharp.

No Bond with Osaka, But Total Respect

Raducanu also mentioned that she hadn’t really crossed paths with Naomi Osaka before—despite their high-profile careers.

But that, she explained, is more about timing than anything personal.

When Osaka was dominating the tennis world and racking up Grand Slam titles, Raducanu was still a school student trying to make a name for herself.

“When I won the US Open, I came straight from school.

I was ranked around 200. Naomi had already won multiple Slams—she was an established champion,” Raducanu said.

Their career journeys couldn’t have been more different, and that, she feels, has had a lasting impact on her development as a player.

“No Foundations” After US Open Win

Reflecting on her breakout moment in 2021, Raducanu didn’t hold back about the challenges she’s faced since.

“I didn’t have the foundations Naomi had.

She had already built her base, so when she won, she was able to go again and again.

I didn’t feel like an established player at the time, and that’s probably why I had more ups and downs after.”

Her frank comments hint at the struggles she’s quietly dealt with, including on-court panic attacks and the frightening experience of being stalked by a stranger in Dubai last year.

Signs of a Comeback After Wimbledon Run

Despite those setbacks, Raducanu’s recent performances have given her fans hope.

She impressed at Wimbledon earlier this month, particularly with her win over 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova.

Although her journey ended in the third round after a hard-fought match against top seed Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament showed that the spark which lit up New York in 2021 hasn’t gone out.

Now in Washington, Raducanu is eyeing a place in the quarter-finals—and perhaps, a fresh chapter in her still-evolving tennis story.