Sport

Raducanu Reveals Painful Truth Before First Match Against Osaka

Published on July 28, 2025

As Emma Raducanu gears up for her first-ever match against Naomi Osaka at the Citi Open in Washington, she’s opening up about something a little deeper than tennis tactics. The 21-year-old Brit revealed that she often finds it difficult to form friendships on the WTA Tour—and her explanation sheds light on just how lonely life can be at the top.

Both Raducanu and Osaka have a lot in common on paper. They’re Grand Slam champions, have struggled with form, and took major breaks during the 2023 season. But Emma believes their paths, while similar in headlines, are worlds apart in experience.

“When I won my US Open, I came from school, I was no one, I was 200 in the world,” Raducanu said. “And Naomi had already won Indian Wells. She was already a known figure on the tour, and people kind of expected, okay, like, she’s going to start doing well and start winning Slams.”

She’s not wrong. Osaka was already turning heads before she stunned Serena Williams in the dramatic 2018 US Open final, a match as famous for the tennis as it was for the umpire controversy. Osaka, then 20, went on to win three more Grand Slam titles, dominating both hardcourt Majors in 2019 and 2021.

Raducanu, on the other hand, was just 18 when she shocked the world at the 2021 US Open. She came out of nowhere, winning the title as a qualifier without dropping a set. But as quickly as she rose, the expectations piled on—and the cracks started to show.

“It means that I didn’t quite build the foundations she had when she won her Grand Slams,” Raducanu added. “Which I think is why she was able to repeat and win another three, back-to-back US Open and Australia.”

That lack of foundation has impacted more than just her game—it’s also affected how she connects with others on tour. Raducanu admitted that her sudden rise made it hard to truly relate to fellow players. In a world where everyone is competing for the same prizes, building genuine friendships can feel like a tall order.

That emotional distance may make her upcoming showdown with Osaka even more interesting. It’s not just a match between two US Open champions—it’s a meeting between two women trying to rediscover their rhythm, confidence, and place in the sport.

With Raducanu now ranked No. 46 in the world and Osaka steadily working her way back into form, both are looking for a fresh chapter. And as they step on court for the first time as opponents, fans will get a front-row seat to a battle not just of talent but of resilience.

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