Emma Raducanu’s 2025 season has once again been a blend of promise on the court and turbulence away from it, as the former US Open champion navigated progress, setbacks and fresh controversy.
The British number one ends the year ranked 29th in the world after earning around £1 million in prize money. Although she did not claim a singles title, her performances at the Grand Slams showed steady improvement. Raducanu reached the third round of the Australian Open, equalling her best result there, and made it to the second round at the French Open. At Wimbledon, she delivered one of her strongest displays of the year, pushing world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka hard before losing in two tight sets.
As has become a recurring theme, her campaign was interrupted by injuries and changes within her team. Raducanu began working with Francisco Roig, a long-time figure in Rafael Nadal’s coaching setup, but ongoing physical problems brought her season to a premature end. She was forced to retire during her second-round match at the Wuhan Open in mid-October.
Off the court, the 22-year-old also faced unwanted headlines. She reportedly lost a major sponsorship deal worth around £3 million, adding to the challenges she has faced while trying to rebuild momentum after her stunning breakthrough in 2021.
Earlier in the year, Raducanu was also caught up in a dress code dispute linked to Wimbledon. In March, three months before the Championships, she was accused of breaching the All England Club’s long-standing all-white rule, which applies to both practice sessions and matches.
Reports claimed the 2021 US Open winner had been seen practising in a pink outfit, with some club members said to be unhappy about the apparent disregard for tradition. One member was quoted as questioning why she should be treated differently, despite her Grand Slam success.
Wimbledon’s dress regulations, introduced in the 1880s, require players to wear tennis clothing that is almost entirely white from the moment they step onto the court. While the rules were updated in 2023 to allow women to wear dark undershorts, the overall policy remains strict.
By the time the 2025 tournament arrived, Raducanu appeared to have taken note of the reminder, as she was later spotted practising in a full white outfit.
Overall, it was another up-and-down year for Raducanu — one that underlined her gradual progress as a competitor, while also highlighting how closely her every move continues to be scrutinised.
