Emma Raducanu’s 2025 tennis season has come to a sudden halt, but fans and analysts alike are already reflecting on what’s been a rollercoaster year for the British No. 1. Officially ending her campaign early due to health concerns, Raducanu withdrew from her final two scheduled tournaments, citing illness and the toll it’s taken on her body. The announcement, made on October 19, 2025, leaves the 22-year-old at world No. 29—a remarkable climb considering she began the year ranked outside the top 60.
Raducanu’s abrupt exit from the Wuhan Open, where she retired mid-match due to dizziness, raised eyebrows and concern. Reports indicate she had been battling illness for some time, even needing her vitals checked during her last two appearances. For a player whose career has been defined by both meteoric highs and frustrating setbacks, this latest chapter is another twist in a narrative that continues to captivate tennis fans.
Despite the early finish, 2025 stands out as one of Raducanu’s most consistent seasons. She played a career-high 50 matches, surpassing her previous best and showcasing a new level of resilience and stamina. Her participation in 10 Masters 1000 tournaments—after having only played a total of 12 such events before this year—is a testament to her evolving approach and determination to grind it out on the pro circuit. While she didn’t capture a title, her quarter-final run at the Miami Open was a highlight, and she managed to make it past the first round in all but three of the prestigious WTA 1000s.
When it comes to the Grand Slams, Raducanu’s consistency was evident, even if the deep runs eluded her. She reached the third round at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open—her best performances at those venues to date. The French Open, however, saw her bow out in the second round. Still, a 28-22 win-loss record and a 56% victory rate mark 2025 as her third-best season statistically, trailing only the breakout year of 2021 and her bounce-back campaign in 2024.
Reflecting on her earlier seasons, the numbers tell a fascinating story. In 2021, Raducanu stunned the world with her historic US Open triumph, becoming the first qualifier ever to lift a Grand Slam trophy. That year, she finished with a 12-6 record and a 67% win rate, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and ending the season ranked No. 19. The following years were marked by injury struggles and incremental improvements. In 2024, she played 36 matches, notched a 64% win rate, and climbed to No. 58 in the rankings, highlighted by a fourth-round showing at Wimbledon.
But 2025 was a different beast—more matches, more grit, and a sense that Raducanu was building something sustainable. Her partnership with coach Francis Roig, which she extended this season, appears to be bearing fruit. Roig, known for his tactical acumen, has reportedly helped Raducanu develop a more robust game plan and manage the physical demands of the tour. The pair’s continued collaboration could be key as she sets her sights on 2026.
That brings us to Raducanu’s immediate goal: securing a seeded spot for the 2026 Australian Open. Seedings are determined by the top 32 players in the world at the time of the tournament draw, and Raducanu’s current position at No. 29 gives her a fighting chance. Being seeded would spare her from facing another top player until at least the third round—a luxury she missed at all four majors this year. In 2025, she drew the short straw repeatedly, coming up against Iga Swiatek at both the Australian and French Opens, Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon, and Elena Rybakina at the US Open. Each time, she was unable to break through to the second week, a fact not lost on her or her fans.
The British tennis faithful are divided on Raducanu’s prospects. According to a recent Express Sport reader poll, 61% believe she won’t be seeded at the upcoming Australian Open, despite her current ranking. The skepticism doesn’t end there—when asked who would be the next British player to win a title, a resounding 70% backed Jack Draper, who himself ended his season early due to bone bruising in his left arm. Draper’s coaching shakeup—parting ways with James Trotman and hiring Jamie Delgado, Andy Murray’s former mentor—has also generated buzz. By contrast, only 10% of readers think Raducanu will be the next Brit to hoist a trophy, with Sonay Kartal drawing similar support, and smaller percentages for Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter.
Perhaps the most sobering statistic? When polled about when Raducanu might win another title, 55% of respondents said "never." Just 2% thought it would happen in the remainder of 2025—a moot point now given her early season exit—while 26% predicted a breakthrough in 2026, and 17% pushed their hopes even further into the future.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore the foundation Raducanu has laid this year. Her improved consistency, physical endurance, and ability to compete across surfaces bode well for the challenges ahead. The memory of her 2021 US Open run remains fresh, a reminder of what she’s capable of when everything clicks. As she continues to mature, both on and off the court, the question is less about whether she can win again, but when—and under what circumstances.
For now, Raducanu will use the offseason to recover and regroup. Her extended partnership with Francis Roig suggests a commitment to long-term development rather than quick fixes. The tennis world will be watching closely as the Australian Open approaches, wondering if the British star can convert her hard-earned ranking into a seeded spot and, perhaps, a deeper run at the majors.
As the curtain falls on 2025, Emma Raducanu stands at a crossroads—health restored, ambitions intact, and a legion of fans (and doubters) waiting to see what comes next. If this season has proven anything, it’s that Raducanu remains one of the most compelling figures in tennis, her journey as unpredictable as ever.