Emma Raducanu became an overnight sensation at the age of 18 when she clinched the 2021 US Open title as a qualifier. However, frequent injuries and a lack of form thereafter pushed her down the rankings. Did you know Raducanu reached her career-high ranking of 10 in 2022 and a year later she dropped down to 285? Owing to this massive downfall, the Brit has received a lot of flak in the last couple of years, with some even labeling her a one-slam wonder and calling the US Open win a fluke. However, as things stand as of now, Raducanu is slowly and steadily climbing up the ladders yet again! Her impressive performance in Miami has now caught the eyes of the Aussie star, Nick Kyrgios!
After defeating the World number 10 Emma Navarro in the second round, Raducanu went on to secure another victory in R32, making it to the pre-quarterfinals in the Miami Open for the first time in her career. Her opponent in the third round, McCartney Kessler (USA) was forced to retire due to an injury. The match ended at 6-1,3-0 in favor of the Raducanu. This is the first time that Raducanu has won three matches in succession since July 2024.
Nick Kyrgios, who got knocked out of the Miami Open in the R64 at the hands of Russia’s Karen Khachanov, recently took a jibe at Raducanu’s critics, while also acknowledging another bright, young prospect from America, Brandon Nakashima, who has now secured his spot in the R16 in Miami.
“Nakashima has to be one of the most underrated players in the game. Also people awfully quiet that Radacanu is winning now – where all the experts at now? lol coach’s overrated ,” Kyrgios wrote on X.
Nakashima has to be one of the most underrated players in the game. Also people awfully quiet that radacanu is winning now – where all the experts at now? lol coach’s overrated
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) March 24, 2025
Kyrgios’ backing for Raducanu came just weeks after the former WTA player Naomi Broady said, “People who have that attitude and say Emma got lucky when we won the US Open don’t understand tennis. You hear them say she is a one-Slam wonder and it was a fluke that she won the US Open. If you understand tennis, you will know that is not possible. You can’t come through qualifying, win seven matches without dropping a set, and win a Grand Slam by luck. She has the level and she needs to get back there and it’s incredibly difficult not to look at those articles online and get dragged into the negativity.”
Talking about getting dragged into negativity constantly, Raducanu once said, “Whatever I do I feel there will be criticism, no matter what you are doing, even when you do something right someone will approach and criticize you.” So, all she does now is to avoid wasting much time on social media and concentrate more on her game. But is it the first time that Kyrgios has shown his support for Raducanu? Not really!
In March 2022 as well, the Aussie had a go at some of the former players who were apparently criticizing Raducanu. “What’s with old retired players giving their opinion on our stars now? I read an article about a past female player talking about Raducanu, no offense but she is a far far bigger name already,” Kyrgios said.
Later that year, when Kyrgios reached the SF of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, Raducanu was among the first ones to congratulate him on his incredible feat. And after that message, Kyrgios lauded her again saying that she’s one of the most “important” players for the sport. He even added that Raducanu was going to be one of the most important players on the WTA Tour for a long time.
But hey apart from Kyrgios, Raducanu’s fellow WTA stars are also showering praise on her.
Jessica Pegula expresses her admiration for Emma Raducanu
Just a couple of days back, Emma Raducanu clinched a hard-fought 7-6(8),2-6,7-6(3) victory against the American star, Emma Navarro. It was her third-ever victory over a top-10 player and the first one in the 2025 season. Quite naturally, the 22-year-old got a bit emotional, saying that the victory against Navarro meant a bit more to her than even her 2021 US Open triumph. “I don’t think it’s been an easy couple of months. I have had a lot going on on and off the court…It’s a really nice feeling. It has been quite emotional, and, you know, it’s taken a lot out of me,” she said.
After Raducanu’s emphatic victory over Navarro, the American WTA star Jessica Pegula stepped in to shower praise on the Brit. “When she’s playing at a top level, she belongs with the top players. I just think she struggled a little bit with injuries, finding consistency,” Pegula said.
The 30-year-old further added, “For her to come back in the third and win the tiebreaker. I’m sure she feels like there’s a monkey off her back.” Raducanu has since then won another match against McCartney Kessler and will now face Amanda Anisimova in the next round.
Talking about her match against Kessler which ended with Kessler retiring mid-match due to injury, the Brit said, “It’s never a way any athlete wants to win a match. I wish McCartney a speedy recovery.” Raducanu, however, emphasized that she’s happy with her performances in Miami.
If things go right and she manages to reach her first WTA 1000 QF, Raducanu may well make an entry into the Top 50. Are you backing her?
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