Raducanu Back In 'happy Place' As Us Open Begins

US Open 2025

Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September

Coverage: Live power commentaries crossed 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, positive unrecorded matter commentaries connected nan BBC Sport website & app

Britain's Emma Raducanu says she is yet seeing nan US Open arsenic her "happy place" arsenic she returns erstwhile again to nan segment of her fairytale New York victory.

Raducanu, 22, stunned nan world 4 years agone erstwhile she lifted nan Grand Slam title arsenic a teenage qualifier.

However, she has not won a lucifer astatine Flushing Meadows since, pinch wounded and anticipation derailing her career.

On Sunday, nan world number 35 is hoping to proceed her caller revival erstwhile she starts nan British situation astatine nan last awesome of nan season.

"I really struggled erstwhile I came backmost successful 2022. I didn't bask coming backmost here," said Raducanu, who plays Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara astatine 16:00 BST.

"I deliberation now is nan first clip that I consciousness for illustration I tin travel backmost to nan US Open and really bask nan memories that I made here.

"I tin beryllium proud of that and spot it arsenic a happy place.

"So for that, I consciousness very grateful for and very pleased about. So I consciousness successful a overmuch amended spot now."

Raducanu rocketed to fame by creating 1 of nan biggest shocks successful British sporting history, but recovered nan aftermath - successful position of nan modulation to becoming a full-time WTA Tour subordinate and nan stratospheric scrutiny - highly difficult.

After being ruled retired of nan 2023 tourney done injury, she made her return past twelvemonth but rued being under-prepared aft losing again successful nan first round.

Raducanu fought backmost tears aft her nonaccomplishment to chap Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin, saying she felt "sad" and "down".

This year, she has returned to New York riding a activity of optimism.

Looking much carefree and content, she has played immoderate of her champion tennis since nan US Open triumph and is adjacent to climbing backmost into nan world's apical 30.

"I consciousness relaxed, I consciousness happy, I consciousness successful a measurement for illustration nan aforesaid disconnected tribunal successful position of conscionable enjoying my tennis, enjoying practicing, enjoying competing, and nan process of getting better," said nan erstwhile world number 10.

"I deliberation I consciousness nan aforesaid [as 2021] successful that sense."

While Raducanu is nan only Briton playing connected nan US Open's first Sunday start, location are 7 different players from nan federation successful nan singles draws.

British men's number 1 Jack Draper is seeded 5th arsenic he looks to amended his tally to nan semi-finals past year, though he has not played since Wimbledon because of an limb injury.

"It's not thing which I'm going to spell retired connected Monday and consciousness for illustration it's holding maine backmost astatine all," said 23-year-old Draper, who starts against Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez.

Cameron Norrie is nan different British liking connected Monday erstwhile he opens against American Sebastian Korda.

After a mates of early exits successful Toronto and Cincinnati, 29-year-old Norrie went backmost to his aged Texas Christian University to recharge earlier launching his bid to scope nan 2nd week astatine a 3rd consecutive Grand Slam event.

Norrie has climbed backmost into nan world‘s apical 40 aft runs to nan French Open past 16 and Wimbledon quarter-finals.

"I deliberation it's bully to clear your mind and beryllium distant from nan tour. It tin beryllium draining if successful tourney mode and not competing," said Norrie.

The remainder of nan British players - Jacob Fearnley, Billy Harris, Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Francesca Jones - will commencement their campaigns connected Tuesday.