Emma Raducanu has had one of the oddest starts to a tennis career. She won the 2021 US Open when she didn't beat a top-10 seeded player on her way to the title. Still, the Brit was only 18 years old, and her play implied she might become a great player on the WTA tour.
She didn't. She has failed not only to get another title, but also to reach another final. Her career record on the WTA tour is solid at 135-75, but she seems to miss more tournaments than she plays. This is not meant as any disrespect toward Raducanu. Those are simply the facts.
The guess is that she was always capable of being more than simply the 2021 US Open champion. She is only 22 years old, so she certainly has many years left to play professional tennis, if she wishes. She has loads of endorsements to cash in on as well, and that will probably continue beyond her playing career.
Emma Raducanu impressive in beating Marketa Vondrousova in the second round of Wimbledon 2025
But what made her second-round victory against Marketa Vondrousova so impressive was how sure Raducanu seemed to be in her level of play. She did not appear to be playing above her best form. She served exquisitely, she moved around the court well, and she finished most points with authority.
Instead of mirroring a No. 40 ranking, she played like someone in the top 10. Vondrousova on the grass courts of Wimbledon. Most Czech women seem to do well on the surface, but Vondrousova won the event in 2023. For Raducanu to dictate the pace of play was impressive, even if Vondrousova has struggled recently when not playing on grass courts.
Vondrousova might not be among the best players on the WTA tour, but she is one of the better players on grass, and Raducanu shut her down. Could the Brit make the home crowd happy and win the Wimbledon title? Sure, as the women's side has seen two straight surprise winners.
Would it be strange for Emma Raducanu to be 22 years old with only two titles, but both at Grand Slam events? Definitely.
Raducanu used a big serve and powerful forehands to beat the Czech, who was struggling with inconsistency and finished with far more double faults than aces and more unforced errors than winners. Her backhand was slightly inconsistent but powerful. That is what she needs to win on grass. She defeated Vondrousova 6-3 6-3.
In the third round, though, the Brit will face an extremely formidable foe. Aryna Sabalenka is waiting for her and is ranked No. 1 on the WTA tour and is the top seed at Wimbledon. The two have only played once before, and the Belarusian won in straight sets at Indian Wells in 2025.