Emma Raducanu has had her fair share of ups and downs in her young career. She reached the pinnacle of success after her historic US Open title victory in 2021, but has since struggled to maintain those high standards. Now, at 21 years old and healthy, Raducanu is finding her footing on clay, raising expectations once again ahead of the French Open. The French Open has historically been a challenging tournament for British players like Andy Murray and Virginia Wade. However, Raducanu’s affinity for clay and recent performances make her a dark horse for the title.
Raducanu’s playing style is well-suited to clay. She enjoys longer rallies, moves quickly around the court, and adeptly slides on the surface. Her strong mental game also contributes to her potential for French Open success. While other players might struggle with the unique demands of red clay, Raducanu has shown her prowess in recent events like the Billie Jean King Cup and Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. However, her past form at the French Open remains a concern.
In 2022, Raducanu played in the Roland Garros, but was eliminated in the second round by Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Afterward, she dealt with a string of injuries that led to surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in May 2023. This forced her to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon that year. Now fit and in good form, the British star is ready for a strong performance in Paris.
Recent results in the Billie Jean King Cup and Porsche Tennis Grand Prix support the idea that clay suits Raducanu’s game. Guiding team Great Britain to the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup, she overcame a set deficit in both of her matches against French players Caroline Garcia and Diane Perry. She also performed well in Stuttgart’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, defeating former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber and Linda Noskova.
As the French Open approaches, Raducanu could be the player to challenge Iga Swiatek’s dominance in Paris. Swiatek, the current World No. 1, has won three titles at the Roland Garros in the past four years and will be aiming for her third consecutive victory in 2024. Other tournament favorites include Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, but 303rd-ranked Raducanu should not be overlooked. The Brit has demonstrated her ability to handle the pressure of major tournaments and will be keen to make an impact at the French Open. If she were to win, Raducanu would become the first British player since Sue Barker in 1976 to claim the title in the Open Era.
