Emma Raducanu’s tennis journey continues to captivate British fans, and her latest rise in the WTA rankings has put her firmly back in the spotlight. As of September 16, 2025, the 22-year-old star has climbed to world No. 33, her highest position since July 2022. This marks a significant leap from her No. 60 ranking at the start of the year and is a clear sign that Raducanu is regaining her footing among the sport’s elite.
Just a few short years ago, Raducanu stunned the world by winning the US Open in 2021 as a teenage qualifier, ending Britain’s 44-year wait for a female Grand Slam champion. That fairytale run saw her defeat Leylah Fernandez in the final, breaking records as the first qualifier in the Open era to win a Slam. However, the years that followed were far from smooth sailing. After her breakthrough, Raducanu faced a string of injuries and inconsistent performances, causing her ranking to plummet as low as 83rd after an early exit in her US Open title defense in 2022.
But 2025 has been a different story. Raducanu’s steady climb began at the start of the season, and her performance at this year’s US Open was another step forward. She started the tournament ranked No. 39 and advanced to the third round, notching victories over Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen. Her run ended with a swift 62-minute defeat to world No. 10 Elena Rybakina, but the showing was enough to boost her up the rankings once again.
Reflecting on her progress, Raducanu’s recent ascent feels like a reward for resilience and hard work. It’s also a testament to her determination to return to the top of the game after a period of setbacks. As she prepares to face Jaqueline Cristian in the opening round of the Korea Open on Tuesday, she’ll be seeded eighth—a promising position as she seeks to build on her momentum. The Korea Open presents a fresh opportunity to push her ranking even higher, and Raducanu enters the tournament as the strong favorite for her opening match.
Her decision to compete in Seoul, however, came with a twist: Raducanu withdrew from representing Great Britain in the Billie Jean Cup quarter-finals, which are set to begin on September 18. Instead of leading Anne Keothavong’s team, Raducanu accepted a wild card to the Korea Open, prioritizing her singles career and ranking ambitions. The withdrawal has sparked some debate among British tennis circles, but Raducanu’s focus on individual progress is clear. She’s aiming to turn her immense talent into consistent results, with an eye on making deeper runs in Grand Slam tournaments next season.
It’s not just Raducanu’s on-court performance that’s been under scrutiny—her coaching carousel has also drawn attention. Since her US Open triumph, Raducanu has worked with eight permanent coaches, the most recent being Francis Roig. Roig, famed for helping Rafael Nadal secure 22 Grand Slam titles, is seen as a key figure who could help Raducanu unlock her full potential. With Roig’s experience guiding her, there’s hope in the British camp that Raducanu can rediscover the form that made her a household name.
Yet, challenges remain. One area where Raducanu has struggled is against the game’s top players. As of September 2025, she has managed only three wins in 18 matches against top-10 ranked opponents. This season, she was knocked out of all four Grand Slams by players within the top 10—a statistic that underscores both the competitiveness of women’s tennis and the fine margins at the highest level. Her projected second-round opponent in Seoul, Barbora Krejcikova, is no pushover either. The Czech star, a former world No. 2 and recent US Open quarter-finalist, would pose a stiff test should Raducanu advance past Cristian.
While Raducanu’s resurgence is grabbing headlines, another British player is experiencing the sport’s harsher realities. Sonay Kartal, a 23-year-old from Brighton, has seen her ranking tumble from No. 53 to No. 82 in just one week—a staggering 29-place drop. The setback follows a difficult summer, capped by a first-round exit at the US Open where she lost 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 to Brazilian 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia. Kartal’s defeat was particularly tough to swallow, as she suffered from debilitating cramps during the match. She described the experience candidly: “It was tough. I’ve never lost a match from cramp before, ever. It was a little bit odd for me,” Kartal said after her New York main-draw debut. Asked how the cramps affected her, she admitted, “Where wasn’t I feeling it? Calves, quads, hamstrings and my fingers on the racquet.”
Kartal’s struggles have extended beyond the US Open. Earlier in August, she was knocked out in the round of 32 at Tennis in the Land by Solana Sierra, and prior to that, she exited Wimbledon in the round of 16 after a two-set loss to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The run of early exits has dealt a blow to her confidence and ranking, echoing the kind of adversity Raducanu herself faced not long ago. For Kartal, the challenge now is to regroup and find her way back up the rankings ladder.
Meanwhile, British tennis fans have more to look forward to than just individual player storylines. Sky has announced a major price reduction for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering members significant savings and access to more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL, and more. With at least 215 live Premier League games to be shown next season—a boost of up to 100 additional matches—sports enthusiasts are in for a feast of action on their screens.
As the Korea Open gets underway, all eyes will be on Emma Raducanu to see if she can continue her upward trajectory. With a new coach in her corner, a rising ranking, and the confidence of recent wins, the British star is poised for another pivotal moment in her young career. Whether she can overcome her struggles against top-tier opponents and make a deep run in Seoul remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: Raducanu’s story is far from finished, and British tennis fans will be watching every step of the way.
