Emma Raducanu is one of the WTA’s most unpredictable assets, but few can deny the allure she brings.
After all, having won the US Open in 2021 during a fairytale run, she shot to superstardom.
What’s followed has been a series of unfortunate and frustrating events, preventing her from capitalising on such sudden success.
Enjoying what many have claimed to be a career in reverse, now she must find out what kind of a player she really is to compete on tour at the unimaginable level she set for herself.
Fortunately, progress is being made on that front.
Emma Raducanu led the entire WTA for key stat
Slowly, as Emma Raducanu plays more and more games on tour, her game style is developing.
An energetic counter-puncher whose defence deserves praise, it is no surprise that the 22-year-old often seems to get more joy out of returning rather than serving herself.
After all, she seems to thrive in the underdog environment, with qualities that can trouble most on the WTA.
In fact, just before her match against Danielle Collins yesterday, one particularly interesting statistic emerged that reinforced this notion: she led the entire WTA for break point conversion, sitting at a lofty 55.7%.
This ability to lock in when needed has helped her to some solid performances across 2025, and with the French Open just around the corner, Raducanu will be hoping to translate that form into the second Grand Slam of the season.
That is, if she is fit. Raducanu offered a worrying fitness update following her exit from the Strasbourg Open yesterday.
Emma Raducanu is a phenomenal returner
Although her serve might often let her down, one area of her game that does not is returning.
In fact, there is reason to believe that Raducanu is one of the finest returners on the entire WTA, if that aforementioned statistic did not already decree it.
A solid return of serve naturally goes hand-in-hand with more break-point opportunities, many of which she brought up in yesterday’s match against Collins.
It’s ironic that, after mentioning the record, she converted just two of 20 break points throughout that match.
However, comparing her figures to some of the top players on tour further supports her success in this area.
Raducanu, in 2025, has won 45.8% of all return points she has faced, with Aryna Sabalenka’s 47.8%, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff’s 48.3% not that much of an improvement.
Crucially, it is on the opponent’s second serve when the Brit really attacks, winning 58.4% of second serve returns compared to 61.4%, 58.7% and 55% of the aforementioned trio who top the women’s game.
Should she add a little more power to her all-around game, and make the serve slightly more dangerous, this is a player who certainly could be pushing for a seeded spot in Grand Slams to come.
