The Emotional Comeback Story of Emma Raducanu
When the world thought Emma Raducanu might never reclaim her former glory, she rose again — ready to fight, to endure, and to conquer. Her journey since her 2021 breakthrough has been anything but smooth. Injuries, surgeries, coaching upheavals — she’s had them all. But now, after months of pain and struggle, Raducanu is back with a resolve that might just rewrite her story.
Raducanu’s career took a huge hit after her meteoric US Open win. Wrist surgeries, ankle problems, and mental pressure from fame all combined to derail a promising trajectory. She once admitted that the weight of off-court commitments and constant scrutiny drained her energy — and that she had lost sight of what tennis meant for her. The Guardian+2Sky Sports+2
But the layoff forced a reckoning. Forced downtime became a time for reflection. Raducanu started to re-evaluate her priorities — not goals for immediate glory, but a healthier, sustainable path forward. She reconnected with old loves: painting, piano, and simply being a young woman outside the glare of the tennis spotlight. The Guardian+1
This “reset,” she says, helped her figure out something important: she loves tennis — not because of trophies, but because of how it feels when she steps on court, moves fast, pushes her body, tests her limits. That shift in mindset is the engine behind her comeback. Sky Sports+1
As she returned to the tour, Raducanu showed flashes of the old spark. In early 2025, she reached notable rounds — the quarterfinal at the Miami Open and solid performances elsewhere hinted she might be back. India Today+2The Express Tribune+2 But the season ended early. A back problem and a foot issue forced her to withdraw from the final tournaments of the year — a blow, no doubt, but not a full stop. The Guardian+2Sky Sports+2
Here’s what makes this return different — and potentially defining. Raducanu has anchored herself to a new coaching and support setup. Her collaboration with experienced coach Francisco Roig continues into 2026, giving her long-term stability. Sky Sports+1 And more importantly, she’s found a balanced rhythm: fitness, recovery, and tennis — all valued equally. She’s not chasing just wins anymore, but consistency, health, and fulfilment. Sky Sports+2ESPN.com+2
Raducanu has said she doesn’t want to treat tennis like a must-win contest. Instead she wants to rediscover joy in the daily grind of training, in refining her movement, in re-building strength and confidence — the kind often overlooked behind grand slam ambitions. Sky Sports+1
Yes — the scars from past setbacks remain. Yes — the path back to a Grand Slam trophy is steep. But this next chapter for Raducanu feels different: quieter, thoughtful, determined. A player once burned by fame is now healed by perspective — and hungry again.
If she stays healthy, stays grounded — and sticks to this new, wiser version of herself — maybe what’s coming won’t be just a flash in the pan, but a full-blown renaissance.
Because this? This isn’t just a comeback. It might be her redemption.
