British tennis star Emma Raducanu has concluded a gruelling but satisfying 2025 season by embracing the simple comforts of home, while offering a refreshingly grounded perspective on the sport's demanding global calendar.
Home Comforts in Bromley and the Joy of Commuting
In a candid roundtable discussion, the 23-year-old revealed her deep affection for her family home in the London Borough of Bromley. Raducanu, who rose to a year-end ranking of world No 29, her highest since 2022, described an off-season spent rediscovering her hometown.
"I'm just so settled," Raducanu said. "Spending really good quality time with my parents has been so nice. I have loved just being in Bromley." She enthusiastically noted the area's new speciality coffee shops and abundant greenery, finding unexpected pleasure in her daily routine.
"I've been commuting on the train. So I've been part of rush hour every day, which has also been an experience," she admitted. "But it's like my switch off. As soon as I get on the South Western to Waterloo, I'm just like: 'My day is done now.'"
Overcoming Adversity and Building a Stable Team
This inner contentment follows a year of significant progress on and off the court. After a challenging start to 2025, which included unsettling encounters with a fixated individual, Raducanu says she has moved on. She now navigates London with more confidence, though a recent paparazzi incident did give her pause.
"What did creep me out was I saw a photo of myself in London, and I didn't see the paps," she explained, referencing a tabloid story that misidentified her best friend's brother as a new boyfriend. "I was like: 'Come on, guys. Be better.'"
Professionally, she has forged a fruitful coaching partnership with Spaniard Francisco Roig, a former key member of Rafael Nadal's team. For the 2026 season, she will also be joined by a new physiotherapist and strength coach, Emma Stewart, from British Rowing's Olympic setup.
A Different Take on the Tennis Grind
While the tennis world has been rife with player complaints about the exhausting length of the season, Raducanu presents a contrasting view to stars like Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz.
"I don't necessarily think it's something to complain about because it's what we are given. And we are making a great living as well," she stated. Raducanu acknowledged the mental and physical toll, but emphasised professionalism.
"If we put up a front that isn't complaining, I think that is a better example to the people watching... If they see all the top players moaning about the calendar, I don't think that's necessarily inspiring to look up to."
Her season included a notable victory over former champion Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon, before a third-round loss to Aryna Sabalenka. Looking ahead, she will team up with British No 1 Jack Draper in the United Cup in Australia.
First, an intense pre-season block with Roig in Barcelona awaits, aimed at closing the gap to the world's elite. Reflecting on her journey, Raducanu concluded: "I feel very content. Learning about myself has been a great thing."
