Emma Raducanu’s Grand Slam year is over, having exited the US Open at the ruthless hands of Elena Rybakina.
It was a supreme performance from the 26-year-old, who admittedly mauled the Brit. And yet, just last night she saw her title credentials dashed by Marketa Vondrousova, who will now face Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.
This has been an odd tournament, laden with upsets and shock results.
However, for Emma Raducanu, it marked the continuation of a promising trend of consistency.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Although she was well beaten, another third-round run can only help her ranking after losing in the first round the year before.
She has acknowledged this progress on her Instagram, making her first post since that US Open defeat.
Emma Raducanu breaks silence after US Open exit
Although not solely focused on the tennis, and more on the enjoyment she took from the tournament, it’s refreshing to see Raducanu relaxed and having fun at such a huge event.
After all, in years gone by, the weight of unfair expectation has naturally dragged her down, almost definitely making her performances worse.
Now finally fit and picking up wins, this year actually marks her best-ever in terms of victories claimed, with her second-round win being her 26th of 2025.
However, once again unable to topple a top player in Rybakina, her Instagram caption was rather fitting, as she simply wrote: “a productive summer. Progress over perfection.”
Emma Raducanu has made huge progress this year
As she mentions in her caption, this year has certainly been one of progress rather than perfection.
After all, the 22-year-old has finally found consistency in both her form and fitness, able to play and win regularly for what feels like the first time in forever.
Whilst the sparkling heights of her 2021 US Open triumph will almost always overshadow everything she does going forward, 2025 has arguably been far more important for her career, laying a proper foundation for future successes at last.
She looks sharper than ever and rarely loses to a player she is not supposed to.
Given Raducanu confirmed she will be working with Francisco Roig at least until the end of the year, hopefully they can continue their bright start together and be ready to tackle 2026 with added vigour, power, energy and quality that allows the British number one to finally start regularly toppling the elite players on the WTA tour.