We make a great living – but should tennis players really complain about the gruelling calendar? That’s the question Emma Raducanu has been addressing lately, and her take might surprise some fans. As others voice frustration about the never-ending season, the British No. 1 insists she has little room to moan – after all, she says with a shrug, they’re doing pretty well for themselves.
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Raducanu, marked by growth, reflection, and a renewed sense of calm. During a relaxed chat with reporters after her season wrapped up, she couldn’t help but sing the praises of her hometown, the London Borough of Bromley. What started as a comment about her quiet off-season soon turned into an affectionate ode to where she grew up. “I’ve hardly spent any time in the UK this year because of how much I was competing,” she explained. “So being back home with my parents has been lovely. Bromley’s where I feel grounded – same bedroom, same memories, same comfort. It brings me back to that simpler time when I was just a kid with a racket and a dream."
These days, Raducanu talks about coffee as passionately as she does cross-court winners. Bromley, she says, has developed a thriving local coffee scene she loves exploring. She’s become a regular on the morning commuter trains, mingling with everyday Londoners during rush hour. “It’s weirdly relaxing,” she laughs. “Once I hop on the South Western line to Waterloo, that’s my mental switch. My day’s done.”
That contentment didn’t come easily. After battling through a demanding yet encouraging season, Raducanu climbed back into the world’s top 30 for the first time since 2022. The 23-year-old’s 2025 campaign saw her perform with more consistency than in years past, playing more often and with renewed confidence.
Perhaps the biggest breakthrough came off the court. Stability has been a long-elusive part of Raducanu’s professional life, but now she seems to be finding it. Her partnership with Spanish coach Francisco Roig, who previously worked alongside Rafael Nadal for years, appears to be flourishing. She’s also enlisted a new performance specialist – Emma Stewart, a physiotherapist and conditioning coach with Olympic-level credentials in British Rowing. Together, they aim to turn Raducanu’s growing consistency into a real push toward elite form.
In the meantime, she’s been determined to recharge both mentally and intellectually. After being forced to end her season early due to illness during the Asian swing, she spent quality time visiting relatives in China and immersed herself in new learning goals. Her latest hobbies? Sharpening her Chinese, improving her Spanish (with Roig’s encouragement), and dabbling in French. “Sometimes, I joke that I need rest days from my rest days,” she laughs. “It’s quite intense, but I love feeding my brain like that.” One of her team members even teased that he now gets random text messages from her in French. “I end up mixing everything – a sentence might have three languages in it,” Raducanu admits. “But it’s good for me – it keeps my mind active and focused on growth."
Still, the year hasn’t been without its darker moments. Earlier in 2025, Raducanu faced the frightening reality of being targeted by a stalker – an ordeal that drew worldwide media attention and deeply affected her confidence. She once confessed to walking with her head down in public to avoid being recognised. But today, she says that heavy feeling has lifted. “Now I hold my head higher. My neck doesn’t hurt anymore!” she says with a laugh. “I think I’ve moved past the fear."
Her calmness was, however, briefly tested by the paparazzi. Recently, tabloids published photos claiming she was seen with a 'new boyfriend.' The truth? He was simply her best friend’s brother. “It creeped me out a bit because I didn’t even notice they were taking pictures,” she recalls. “They cropped my best friend out to make a story. But honestly, I’m fine now. I feel safe and protected."
While Raducanu has quietly rebuilt her confidence, professional tennis has been busy debating another controversy: the relentless annual calendar. Top players like Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Jack Draper have publicly criticised the sport’s packed schedule, calling for reform. Raducanu, however, isn’t joining the chorus. Her view? Be grateful, not resentful.
“It’s challenging, of course,” she concedes, “but I don’t think complaining helps. This is the career we chose. We’re lucky to do what we love and to be rewarded for it. Every job has tough moments; athletes just experience them in public. I think it’s better for younger players to see us embracing the grind instead of constantly criticising it.”
It’s a take that might divide opinion. Should elite players just ‘accept’ the grueling schedule, or do they deserve better protections and rest? Raducanu’s pragmatic stance might frustrate some of her peers, but it’s also a refreshing counterpoint to the increasingly vocal movement for change.
Next up, she’ll reunite with her longtime friend Jack Draper for the season-opening United Cup in Australia, before tackling an intensive pre-season training block in Barcelona with Roig. The objective: make her shot-making sharper and close the gap on the sport’s very best.
Reflecting on a year filled with both setbacks and self-discovery, Raducanu sums it up thoughtfully: “The tough moments taught me more than the easy ones. I learned how strong I can be, and what I need to stay that way. Spending time learning and growing off the court has done wonders for my peace of mind. I feel content – like I’m evolving not only as a tennis player but as a person."
So, what do you think? Should tennis pros like Raducanu keep quiet about the demanding schedule, appreciating their privileges? Or do you side with players who say the sport’s calendar is simply unsustainable? Share your thoughts – this debate isn’t ending any time soon.
