Emma Raducanu has given an honest assessment of her form over the last few months, following her latest victory over Naomi Osaka.
It was the first time these two had ever met on court, pitting the 2021 US Open champion against a four-time major winner.
On paper, the Japanese superstar should have come out on top, but with the form the 22-year-old has exhibited at the Washington Open this week, there are few she should fear.
She won, comfortably, 6-4, 6-2, and in doing so has reached the quarter-final stage here in back-to-back years.
Emma Raducanu has developed so much both in terms of her physical reliability, mental strength and the decisions she is making off the court since then. She touched upon these traits whilst speaking to the media.
Emma Raducanu rates her year so far after Naomi Osaka win
Asked about how her form has improved throughout 2025, ever since she started her working relationship with Mark Petchey, Raducanu admitted that she has noticed the huge progress she has made.
After all, at last, it feels like we are seeing her play regularly and with confidence, no longer hampered by relentless injuries or playing whilst compromised.
One reporter sought to praise her level, and asked her if she felt the same way. Raducanu replied: “Yeah, big time. I feel a lot more composed. I feel more relaxed, more comfortable in myself and just what I’m doing on and off the court.
“You know, I think I’m putting a lot of good work in, so it takes the pressure off of the results because I know how much I’m doing behind the scenes and banking, and I’m really just enjoying my tennis, enjoying getting better and collecting as many good days as possible in a row.
“It’s, you know, pretty childish, but I’m trying to keep this streak going as long as possible of like, good days. It’s like a Snapchat streak, but, yeah, just trying to keep it going and I’m on a higher number right now, so I want to keep it going.”
Raducanu pointed out what she thought had been her biggest area of improvement too, at the same press conference.
Emma Raducanu needs to tie down Mark Petchey as her coach
Although Petchey is not actually with Raducanu in Washington right now, this run is a product of his many months working alongside the youngster.
He deserves so much credit for the way in which he has reignited her stuttering career, with this ongoing event providing further proof of why he needs to stick around for longer.
What they could create together could be truly special, not just for each other, but for British tennis.
Photo by Tim Clayton via Getty Images
She has gone from an injury-prone star struggling for wins to a regular fixture on tour, and it genuinely feels like she is building towards something big.
Petchey admitted he and Raducanu might be forced to split due to his alternative commitments, but it would be such a shame to end their partnership now, just when things are coming together.
AloJapan.com