Emma Raducanu’s start to the 2026 season has been a ‘mixed bag’ to say the least.
After a strong 2025 season, in which she secured Grand Slam seeding for the first time in four years, the British star has struggled to find consistency in the new year.
After winning one of two matches at the United Cup, Raducanu was stunned in the Hobart International quarter-finals by Taylah Preston and defeated in the Australian Open second round by unseeded Anastasia Potapova.
In a somewhat surprising move, Raducanu then parted ways with coach Francisco Roig.
Who should be Emma Raducanu’s next coach?
However, the British number one bounced back quickly, registering an impressive run to the Transylvania Open final – before losing to Sorana Cirstea.
In Qatar, Raducanu was forced to retire from her first-round match against Camila Osorio.
With spring fast approaching, Raducanu has the opportunity to use the upcoming WTA tournaments as a springboard for the rest of her season.
Emma Raducanu’s big opportunity
At the Dubai Tennis Championships and Indian Wells Open, Emma Raducanu has a serious opportunity to boost her ranking.
Last year, Raducanu won one match in Dubai and lost her first match in Indian Wells. As a result, she only managed to secure 75 WTA rankings points.
Therefore, Raducanu has the opportunity to win a maximum of 1,925 ranking points in Dubai and Indian Wells.
Of course, this is easier said than done; and with the likes of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka competing at both events, it seems unlikely that Raducanu will win either tournament.
However, she is certainly capable of recording a deep run in both tournaments. For Raducanu, with the talent at her disposal, she should be looking to gain upwards of 350 ranking points in Dubai and Indian Wells.
If Raducanu gains over 350 points across these two events, she would likely launch herself into the WTA top 20.
If the British star does the unthinkable and wins one of these two events, she would likely move into the top 15.
- Emma Raducanu defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-2 to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships second round. She then lost to Karolina Muchova in straight sets.
- In Indian Wells, Raducanu lost her opening match to Moyuka Uchijima, 6-3, 6-2.
- Raducanu then reached the Miami Open quarter-finals after beating Sayaka Ishil, Emma Navarro, McCartney Kessler and Amanda Anisimova. She lost to Jessica Pegula in the last eight.
Emma Raducanu’s reaction after 2025 Indian Wells
After losing to Moyuka Uchijima in the first round, Raducanu reflected on her performance.
She said: “Yeah, I think it was just a very difficult match for me. I think it was tough conditions, difficult ball from my opponent. Yeah, I mean, I tried to be aggressive, I tried to make the ball. But, yeah, I guess it didn’t work today.”
The event marked Vladimir Platenik’s first as the coach of Raducanu. Platenik was working with Radcanu as part of a two-week trial.
Emma Raducanu won her first Grand Slam too soon – Prove me wrong!
Speaking about Platenik, Raducanu said: “Yeah, I mean, we haven’t necessarily done that much yet, because he arrived very, very recently. So it was the day before the match where we don’t necessarily want to, like, change anything.
“So we haven’t actually started, I’d say, like, proper work. Yeah, from how I have met him, he’s very serious, he’s very professional, gets on with it. So yeah, we’ll see how it goes.”
Raducanu parted ways with Platenik following the two-week period.
