Emma Raducanu, Britain’s former US Open champion, is back in the spotlight at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, where her tenacity and tactical prowess propelled her into the second round with a hard-earned 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Suzan Lamens on April 23, 2025. The 22-year-old, whose career has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks since her 2021 Flushing Meadows glory, showcased the fighting spirit that has defined her comeback. Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu beamed with pride, declaring, “It is a strength of mine when I can use it,” as she celebrated her ability to dig deep at critical moments. Her win sets up an electrifying second-round clash with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, reigniting a rivalry steeped in history and promise.
Raducanu’s journey to the Madrid second round was anything but straightforward. Facing Lamens, a formidable Dutch player ranked No. 73, she navigated a tense first set that teetered with momentum swings. The set featured multiple breaks of serve, culminating in a tiebreak where Raducanu’s composure shone. Trailing 2-3, she rattled off four straight points, sealing the set with a pinpoint forehand winner. The second set tested her resolve further, as Lamens surged to a 2-0 lead. Undeterred, Raducanu clawed back, breaking serve twice and sealing the match with a clutch ace on match point. “I know I had to play really well to win and although it wasn’t always my best, I got stuck in at the right moments,” she said post-match. “I’m proud of how I competed.”
The victory marks a significant milestone for Raducanu, who has battled back from double wrist surgery in 2023 to climb into the world’s top 50, currently ranked No. 47. Her 2025 season has shown flashes of brilliance, including a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open and a semifinal appearance in Stuttgart, where she pushed world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to three sets. Madrid holds special significance for Raducanu, who made her professional clay debut here in 2022, defeating Kostyuk in a memorable 6-2, 6-1 rout. Last year’s first-round exit to María Lourdes Carlé was a setback, but her 2025 performance signals a renewed confidence on the demanding clay surface. “Clay is tough, but I’m learning to adapt,” she noted, crediting her recent training block for sharpening her movement and shot selection.
Raducanu’s second-round opponent, No. 22 seed Marta Kostyuk, promises a blockbuster showdown. The two share a storied rivalry dating back to their junior days, with Kostyuk often holding the upper hand as the favored player. Their professional head-to-head is tied at 1-1, with Kostyuk dominating a 2021 Transylvania Open clash 6-2, 6-1, and Raducanu exacting revenge in Madrid 2022. “All throughout juniors she was always the favorite when we played,” Raducanu recalled before their 2022 encounter. “She was considered much better. Yeah, it’s a funny one. When we played last year she played very good, but also I wasn’t very well that day. So it’ll be an interesting match-up.” Kostyuk, ranked No. 19, brings an aggressive baseline game and a flair for spectacular shot-making, boasting a 72-38 clay-court record over the past decade, including a 2021 Roland Garros fourth-round run.
Raducanu’s preparation for Madrid reflects her strategic approach. Opting to skip smaller clay events, she focused on a rigorous training regimen, working informally with Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey and long-time mentor Jane O’Donoghue. Her game against Lamens showcased her evolving versatility, blending powerful forehands with delicate drop shots and a 70% first-serve rate. An early double fault rattled her, but she quickly regained focus, a sign of the mental fortitude that has fueled her resurgence. “I’m learning to trust my game under pressure,” she said, a nod to the growth that has seen her win 13 of 18 matches in 2025.
The Raducanu-Kostyuk matchup, set for the Arantxa Sánchez Stadium, has tennis fans buzzing. Social media is alight with anticipation, with one X post proclaiming, “Emma Raducanu’s back and ready to make waves in Madrid!” Another highlighted the history of lopsided scorelines in their rivalry, predicting a closer battle this time. A victory could propel Raducanu into a third-round clash with Paula Badosa or Veronika Kudermetova, with a potential quarterfinal against Sabalenka looming. For Raducanu, the match is a chance to reassert her clay-court credentials and build momentum ahead of Roland Garros, where she aims to make a deep run.
Raducanu’s journey is a testament to her resilience, a young star navigating the pressures of fame and physical setbacks with unwavering determination. Her ability to “get stuck in” at pivotal moments, as she so aptly described, encapsulates the grit that has carried her from a teenage Grand Slam champion to a maturing force on the WTA Tour. As she prepares to face Kostyuk, the tennis world watches eagerly, anticipating a clash that could redefine this generational rivalry and solidify Raducanu’s place among the sport’s elite.