US OPEN

August 22, 2025

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

An interview with:

EMMA RADUCANU

THE MODERATOR: Welcome. If you would, your thoughts as you get ready for this year's US Open.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I feel good overall. I think I have been practicing pretty well. I have had a good few weeks in America playing, and Canada, as well. Got some matches in. And then, yeah, tough match with Aryna in Cincy, but it was another one to build on and was closer than when I played her at Wimbledon.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Talk about the Carlos Alcaraz mixed doubles, how it went, how you felt? Secondly, do you think Wimbledon should look at doing something like that or stick with tradition?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it would be so fun if all the slams got involved and did something similar, even if it was not the exact same format.

I think it was a huge success. I think so many fans got involved, so many people watching and tuned in. It got a lot of attention.

I think it was a great idea. And, yeah, I had a lot of fun on the court playing with Carlos.

Q. A new coach since we saw you at Wimbledon, Francis. Can you talk about what it was about him that led you to that choice? In your early few weeks with him, what were some of the things you developed new in your game again?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think we're working a lot on the court, putting a lot of hours in. He loves spending time on court, as well. But we find a good balance. It's not all just serious. Also time passes so fast, which is a good sign whenever you're spending time with someone. Overall, I think just working on the quality of my shots and improving them.

So I think so far it's been going pretty well, but I need more time, for sure.

Q. Obviously he worked so long with Rafa Nadal. Was that a factor in you wanting to link up with him? What sort of lessons do you think you can take from the work that they did together?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it's always nice if someone has been around for such a long time, especially with someone like Rafa. So very experienced. You can tell, you know, when we're at these big events, at these big matches or tournaments with a lot of people, there is a big element of calm assurance in the matches. There is no stress or panic, which it definitely rubs off on me.

I feel overall in certain situations on the practice court, even certain shots, if things aren't going well and aren't going perfect, I feel overall like I can just trust in my game more.

Q. The selection process with Francis, how did you know he was available? Who reached out to who? Is it a decision you make about your coach yourself without input from others? Did you speak to family, agents? Can you tell us about that?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, after Wimbledon, I always knew Mark helped me so much over the last few months since Miami, but we always knew it was going to be difficult to keep things going forward with his commitments and everything.

After Wimbledon, it was quite a good match with Aryna. I think quite a lot of people watched it. I think it helped my case, so I'm happy about that (smiling).

After that, I just asked Jill, who is looking after me, and I was, like, Oh, do we have any more ideas? Because ideally I wanted to come into the U.S. swing knowing I had someone in a coach. That's how it happened.

We arranged a few days before I came out to America. Yeah, it went well, but he couldn't start until Cincy. Since then we have been practicing and working well.

Q. Francisco was in Nadal's inner circle for so many years. Wondered if you had any conversation with him specifically about how Rafa approached anything on and off the court? Francisco I think, at one point, he played doubles with Rafa, as well. So they are very close.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it was so funny, because I was playing in Montreal, and I came off the court, I think I just played Peyton, had a good match, came through. He was like, I know you can't lose on that court. I came out of retirement and won my only doubles match on that court (smiling). So it was, like, a good omen.

I mean, he obviously has so much experience, but I haven't necessarily gone into details about past players, because, I mean, I'm also don't necessarily want to pry. But I know that overtime I will probably ask more and more questions.

Q. Francisco is really vocal on the sidelines. I know the mics in Cincinnati, quite close to the coach, but it was very notable how vocal he was. Is that something you asked for from him? Do you like that style of communication during the match?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think it was more just, you know, when you're playing here in these stadiums, and especially in America there is a lot of music going on, a lot of movement. Even if the coach is shouting, whoever is shouting from the box, you can't hear anything. So to be heard, I think you have to shout and try and be heard that way.

I remember at one point in the match I went over, because I couldn't hear anything, the music started playing in between, and the umpire was telling me I can't stand there, but I couldn't hear anything anyway.

I mean, it's great that he's involved and getting enthusiastic in the match. I guess he just does it how he sees. He doesn't always do it. He leaves me to it when he thinks I'm doing well.

I guess in those situations when you're playing Aryna, every kind of shot matters, every point there is something to kind of pick out.

So yeah, I think it's just more trying to hear.

Q. Can you compare what it was like coming back here in '22 after you had that incredible run in '21, compare with sort of where you are now, thinking in terms of whether it's expectations, exposure, things like that, and how much more prepared you might be to deal with it now than you were three years ago, I guess?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I'd say I do feel very different to 2022. I really struggled when I came back in 2022. I didn't enjoy coming back here. I think now is the first time that I feel like I can come back to the US Open and really enjoy the memories that I made here and be proud of that and see it as a happy place.

So for that, I feel very grateful for and very pleased about. So I feel in a much better place now.

Q. As you mentioned briefly, over the past few years the US Open have been kind of tough for you. But you have been having great results lately. How does heading into this year's US Open feel different than heading into some in the past few years?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think the main thing is just I came out to America in D.C. and I have played since. I made semis there. And then I played in Montreal, pretty quick turnover. I went to Cincy and had a good match, and then played Aryna, lost that in three. Put in some good practice work the last 10 days in.

I just feel relatively prepared as best as I can be. You're never going to feel completely perfect, you're never going to feel 100% ready, but as ready as I can be. That's how I feel.

Q. Watching players practice, it's always amusing to me, practice hour is up and another player is coming on but the other player doesn't want to get off the court, maybe hit a few more forehands or backhands. Has that ever been awkward for you in that kind of situation?

EMMA RADUCANU: No, it's funny, but, like, for sure you can... You've got, like, 25 seconds left of the hour, and you're playing the last point. Then you just want to play a point and both players hit a ball. Seven out of ten times you end up double faulting. That's what happened to me today (laughter).

I had a good practice. And I don't know, maybe you feel pressure, like, with the people coming on, especially if they've got a team of eight people in total.

It is always a funny little interaction because the point ends up being usually either terrible or unbelievable.

Q. Has anyone ever taken too long or maybe taken the mickey a bit?

EMMA RADUCANU: Actually, I haven't had any bad experiences, no.

Q. Three years ago you were carefree, you could walk around freely. Do you think you will ever get to feel that way again in this world of tennis?

EMMA RADUCANU: Well, I think compared to four years ago, I feel relaxed, I feel happy, I feel in a way like the same off court in terms of just enjoying my tennis, enjoying practicing, enjoying competing, and the process of getting better. I think I feel the same in that sense.

But I am just more aware now of everything that is possible. And, you know, when I won in '21, I didn't know, I guess about this world of potential negativity and bringing people down, bringing players down.

I'd say that kind of affected me a lot in the last few years. It still definitely gets me from time to time, but overall I think I can enjoy what I'm doing day to day a lot more, I have good people around, so yeah, I'm just happy that I'm in this place with my tennis.