Emma Raducanu Shakes Up Grass-Court Plans With Berlin Open Entry
In a strategic shift ahead of Wimbledon, British tennis star Emma Raducanu has entered the Berlin Open (June 16-22), opting out of the concurrent WTA 125 event in Nottingham. The move signals the world No. 43’s ambitious preparation for the grass-court season, where she’ll face nine of the WTA’s top 10 players in Germany’s capital.
Raducanu’s Revamped 2025 Grass-Court Schedule
The 2021 US Open champion will make her seasonal grass debut at Queen’s Club (June 9-15) before heading to Berlin – marking the first WTA tournament in London in 50 years. Her participation in subsequent events (Eastbourne or Bad Homburg, June 23-29) remains contingent on her performance at these key tournaments.
This scheduling pivot comes after Raducanu’s successful 2024 grass campaign:
- Nottingham Open semifinals (lost to Katie Boulter)
- Eastbourne International quarterfinals (fell to Daria Kasatkina)
- Wimbledon fourth round (defeated by Lulu Sun)
Why Berlin Matters for Raducanu
The Berlin Open’s elite field – missing only world No. 1 Iga Swiatek – offers Raducanu crucial matchups against top-tier opponents before Wimbledon, where she’s historically excelled with two fourth-round appearances (2021, 2024). The tournament also provides:
- Higher-ranking points than Nottingham’s WTA 125 event
- Quality grass-court preparation on similar surfaces to Wimbledon
- Opportunity to test her game against multiple top-10 players
Building Momentum After Injury Struggles
Raducanu’s Berlin commitment follows her recent resurgence at Strasbourg, where she snapped a three-match losing streak with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 win over Daria Kasatkina. “I came out really aggressive and maintained focus under pressure,” she remarked, highlighting growing confidence on clay – a surface she’s “starting to like more” through prolonged exposure.
The Brit’s 2024 season has been hampered by injuries, prompting careful schedule management. Her late Strasbourg wildcard entry and strong performance suggest improving physical readiness for the demanding grass season ahead.
Grass: Raducanu’s Best Surface?
While clay development continues, Wimbledon remains Raducanu’s second-most successful Major. Her flat groundstrokes and crisp returns translate effectively to grass, as evidenced by:
- 66.7% career win rate on grass (second only to hard courts)
- 2024 Wimbledon run as unseeded player
- Tactical maturity in managing low bounces and fast conditions
What’s Next for the British Star?
Raducanu’s Berlin entry reflects a player optimizing opportunities amid ranking constraints (she’ll likely need wildcards for Eastbourne/Bad Homburg). With protected ranking provisions expiring soon, strong results at Queen’s and Berlin could secure direct entry into future tournaments – crucial for rebuilding consistency after her injury-disrupted 2024.
As Wimbledon approaches, all eyes will be on whether this recalibrated schedule delivers the match sharpness needed for another deep SW19 run. For Raducanu, Berlin represents more than another tournament – it’s a calculated step toward reclaiming her place among tennis’ elite.
