Emma Raducanu remains one of the most promising young players in tennis, with plenty of reasons to believe her best is still ahead.
Her rise was sudden and spectacular, but it also brought an intense level of attention and pressure. Many fans judged her harshly for not building on that 2021 US Open title, seeing it as a missed opportunity rather than understanding the challenges she faced behind the scenes.
The reality was different. Injuries played a major role in holding her back, with surgeries on both wrists and her ankle keeping her out for much of 2023.
This year has been a different story. Now fully fit, Raducanu’s game has come together, showing consistency week after week throughout 2025.
The progress isn’t just visible in results. Physically stronger and technically sharper, she’s even started sharing some of that knowledge with amateur players looking to improve their own games.
Emma Raducanu explains how she improved her forehand
Raducanu was methodical in her response, detailing how she transformed what was once seen as a weak point into a reliable asset.
She broke it down to the basics, saying: “The most important thing is to basically turn your shoulders, and turn your shoulders as early as possible. And from there, once the racket is taken back, you can go forward at any time, but it’s just so important to get this rotation so you can hit the ball.
“And from here, once you turn, you just literally turn and rotate the other way.” “Try and finish over your shoulder, that’s good technique. Just as loose as possible again – like the more tensed up [you are], the worse it goes.”
Emma Raducanu’s forehand is one of her biggest weapons
Raducanu’s backhand has long been viewed as the stronger part of her game, known for its reliability and the unique cross-court angles that often caught opponents off guard.
But since working with Mark Petchey, she’s developed into a more balanced player. His influence has helped her take real steps forward, and it’s showing in her climb back up the rankings.
This rise hasn’t matched the rapid pace of her 2021 US Open breakout, which saw her soar to tenth in the world. Instead, it’s been a steadier progression, built on consistent results rather than sudden leaps.
In 2025, she went seven months without losing in the first round of a tournament – a clear sign of how much more dependable her game had become.
The Telegraph also highlighted an increase in her forehand speed earlier this year, noting that she had added around 10 kilometres per hour to that shot on average.
Petchey provided valuable guidance on transforming her forehand into a more effective part of her game – knowledge Raducanu is now looking to share with others.
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