Emma Raducanu has returned to the top of British women’s tennis following a stellar run at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. Her straight-sets victory over four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka marked a turning point, propelling her past Katie Boulter in the rankings and placing her at world No.33.
A confident comeback on hard courts
Raducanu’s performance in Washington was marked by precision and poise. She defeated seventh seed Marta Kostyuk before dispatching Osaka 6-4, 6-2 in their first professional meeting. Her serve was particularly effective, landing over 60% of first serves and maintaining control throughout the match. This resurgence comes after a challenging period of injuries and recovery, including surgeries that sidelined her for much of 2023.
Shifting the British rankings
With Raducanu’s rise, Katie Boulter now sits at world No.41, followed by Sonay Kartal at No.48 and Jodie Burrage Jones, who has reached a career-high of No.84. The reshuffling reflects a dynamic phase in British women’s tennis, with Raducanu once again leading the charge.
Eyes on the US Open
Raducanu’s climb in the rankings puts her within reach of a seeded position at the upcoming US Open, reserved for the top 32 players. Her next challenge in Washington is Maria Sakkari, a player she has beaten in all three of their previous meetings. A win could further boost her standing and momentum heading into the final Grand Slam of the season.
A new mindset and fresh energy
Raducanu has spoken openly about her renewed approach to the sport, focusing less on results and more on consistency and enjoyment. She described feeling composed and upbeat on court, crediting the work she’s done behind the scenes to build confidence and rhythm.
Her return to form and leadership in British tennis signals a promising chapter ahead, both for her career and for the national landscape.
Emma Raducanu in 2025
Ranked world no.33, the Brit played her last match on the 26th of July when she lost to world no.31 Anna Kalinskaya 6-4 6-3 in the semifinal in Washington (draw).
At the moment, during this season Emma has a compiled 21-15 win-loss record. Emma Raducanu’s latest run in Washington was the best achievement of her season.