Emma Raducanu is preparing for another season on the WTA Tour in 2026, having finished 29th in the world rankings.
It’s some way off her career-high of 10, while she also failed to double her WTA career title tally in the latest season.
Raducanu won her only title to date at the 2021 US Open, where she defeated Leylah Fernandez in the final.
This year at Grand Slam level, the Briton reached the third rounds of three of the four tournaments, and fell in the second round of the French Open.
Emma Raducanu states desire to win Wimbledon and comments on Aryna Sabalenka
At Wimbledon, the home favorite was defeated by WTA superstar Aryna Sabalenka, who won their clash 7-6(8-6), 6-4.
She had set points in her match against the Belarusian, of which she has now said: “When you play number one, they’re number one for a reason, so they can come up with an unbelievable drop shot on set point.
“But pushing Aryna to those lengths, it did give me confidence. More than half the battle, when you’re playing someone like that, is the belief and just playing the ball, not necessarily playing her.”
Raducanu added another take on the grass-court Grand Slam, saying: “You want to win Wimbledon, that’s the goal for everyone. But other than that, I think I am pretty realistic.”
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How Rafael Nadal is inspiring Emma Raducanu
Raducanu will have taken plenty of confidence from that battle with Sabalenka, who has brushed aside many of her opponents in recent times.
The pair were also drawn together in the same round of the Cincinnati Masters later in the year, and again it was the world number one who triumphed.
But Raducanu again showed her desire and determination as she very narrowly lost 6-7(3-7), 6-4, 6-7(5-7).
Defeating Sabalenka is no mean feat, and the same can be said of winning Wimbledon, where Raducanu has never made it beyond the fourth round.
Fortunately, she is taking inspiration from Rafael Nadal via her coach Francisco Roig, who used to work with the Spaniard.
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She said of Roig: “I don’t necessarily ask him about Rafa as much. But of course, it is inspiring whenever I do hear stories about him. Just to think that he worked with him at such a close proximity for so many years is really inspiring.”
The veteran coached Nadal to each of his 22 Grand Slam titles, and is now aiming to help bring Raducanu back to her very best.
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