Emma Radukanu can finally see Flushing Meadows as a “happy place” four years after her open victory.
The 22-year-old achieved one of the great modern sport victories by winning the title as a qualifier in 2021, but achieved it in three years as she couldn’t win a single match there.
Although she was ready and emotional after losing to Sofia Kenin last year, Radukanu discusses her latest campaign in New York, opening on Sunday against qualifier Ena Shibahara.
“When I came back in 2022, I really struggled,” Radkanu said. “I didn’t enjoy coming back here. I think it’s the first time I’ve felt like I’m back in America and really enjoying the memories I made here and being proud and happy.”
For the first time in her career, Radukanu has discovered consistency in performance and outcomes, avoiding injuries issues and is back on the brink of the world’s top 30.
She is once again clear in the UK number one, with a new full-time coach in the corner of experienced Spanish Francisco Roig. He spent nearly 20 years in Rafael Nadal’s camp.
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They only collaborated in one tournament, the Cincinnati Open last week. There, Radukanu pushed her way up to decide the world’s number one arena Sabalenka.
While Radukanu has been successful with Mark Pecchi in recent months, his former UK number one broadcast commitment meant he was unable to play a full-time role.
Radukanu’s trial with Roig after Wimbledon, which was also slightly shorter against Sabalenka in round three, proved successful, and she is pleased with how things have gone so far.
“Mark has helped me so much in the last few months, but we always knew that his commitment and it would be difficult to continue doing everything in the future,” she said.
“After Wimbledon, it was a very good match with Alina. I think a lot of people saw it. I think it helped my case, so I’m happy about it.
“We do a lot of work in court and spend a lot of time. He also loves to spend time on the court. But we have a good balance. It’s not all serious.
“It also makes time so fast. This is a good sign every time you spend time with someone. Overall, I think it’s just going to work on the quality of the shot and improve it.
Roig worked as Nadal’s second coach first along with his uncle Toni and later Carlos Moya.
Radkanu has yet to learn much about Roig’s time with Nadal, but he already feels the benefit of his experience.
“It’s always nice if someone has been around for a long time, especially with someone like Rafa,” she said.
“When you’re at these big events, in these big matches and tournaments with a lot of people, there’s a big part of gentle guarantees to the match, there’s no stress or panic.
“I’m overall in certain situations on the practice court, and even certain shots, if things are going well and not perfect, then I can trust my game more.”
Although Radukanu cannot return to that carefree summer of 2021, stability has once again brought a certain lightness.
“I feel the same court off court in terms of enjoying tennis, practicing, competing, and enjoying the process of getting better,” she said.
“But now I’m more aware of everything possible. When I won 21 years, I didn’t know, I didn’t know, defeating this potential negative world and people, defeating players.
“I think it has had a big impact on me over the last few years, and it still greets me from time to time, but overall I think I can enjoy what I do every day.