Emma Raducanu may have entered the 2025 Miami Open under a cloud of early-season setbacks, but she exited with renewed belief and a performance that silenced the doubters—at least for now. After a string of six losses in her last seven matches and a 3-6 record for the year, the British starlet delivered a stirring resurgence, reaching her first-ever WTA 1000 quarter-final and turning heads with her revamped all-court game.
Annabel Croft, the former world No. 24 and an astute observer of the sport, shared her insights on what powered Raducanu’s unexpected Miami revival. Writing in her latest column, Croft pointed to key technical aspects—serve, return, and volley execution—as pivotal to Raducanu’s elevated level.
TURNING THE TIDE WITH THE TOSS-UP
“The serve was much improved,” noted Croft. A shot that had frequently betrayed Raducanu earlier in the season suddenly became a central pillar of her Miami campaign. The rhythm was smooth, the motion compact, and the ball placement razor-sharp. Her delivery gained such unpredictability and stability that her opponents found themselves second-guessing where to move—a clear psychological edge in the heat of battle.
Her first-strike effectiveness was paired with precision returns that rattled even the most composed servers. “Raducanu’s returning in Miami was up there with the best on tour right now,” Croft emphasized. By pressuring opponents to miss more first serves, Raducanu repeatedly earned opportunities to pounce on slower second serves—opportunities she seized with ruthless intent. Her return game didn’t just neutralize; it dominated.
TOUCH AT THE TOP
While Raducanu’s groundstrokes often grab the headlines, Croft highlighted a lesser-celebrated aspect of her skill set—her net play. “You may be surprised by this but I also genuinely think Raducanu is one of the best volleyers in the game,” she observed. Although not a net-rusher by default, when Raducanu did approach, she executed with remarkable finesse.
Croft even drew a parallel to Rafael Nadal—another player known more for his baseline brawls than net presence—but who, statistically, delivered exceptional results at the net. In Raducanu’s case, it’s not about volume but precision, with her volleys often sealing crucial points. Grass court season may well bring this part of her arsenal into greater focus.
THE PHYSICAL FACTOR: STILL A PUZZLE
Yet, for all the tactical progress and technical upgrades, Croft raised a familiar flag of caution—Raducanu’s physical resilience remains an open question. “A question mark for me is still the physical side,” she admitted, referencing mid-match dips against both Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula, where Raducanu appeared to run out of gas after promising starts.
Still, there’s a silver lining. Under the guidance of her strength and conditioning coach, Yutaka Nakamura, Raducanu’s fitness appears to be on an upward curve. While the scars of past injuries haven’t entirely faded, her ability to gut through tough moments in Miami—both physically and mentally—was a strong sign of growth. “There was also much to admire in the way Raducanu battled through these issues and left it all out there on the court,” Croft added.
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE FUTURE
Raducanu’s path to the quarter-finals saw her dispatch Sayaka Ishii, Emma Navarro, McCartney Kessler, and Amanda Anisimova—dropping just one set in the process. Though her run ended in a tight three-setter against world No. 4 Jessica Pegula, it marked a turning point not just in her 2025 season, but perhaps in her evolution as a more complete and confident competitor.
In the high-stakes, high-speed world of elite tennis, momentum can shift with every swing of the racquet. For Raducanu, the Miami Open wasn’t just about a deeper draw—it was a reminder of her potential, polished technique, and ability to weather pressure under the spotlight. If she continues this upward trend, the next chapters of her career might just resemble the promise she showed when she burst onto the scene at the 2021 US Open.