Raducanu rocketed to fame by creating one of the biggest shocks in British sporting history, but found the aftermath – in terms of the transition to becoming a full-time WTA Tour player and the stratospheric scrutiny – extremely difficult.
After being ruled out of the 2023 tournament through injury, she made her return last year but rued being under-prepared after losing again in the first round.
Raducanu fought back tears after her loss to fellow Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin, saying she felt “sad” and “down”.
This year, she has returned to New York riding a wave of optimism.
Looking more carefree and content, she has played some of her best tennis since the US Open triumph and is close to climbing back into the world’s top 30.
“I feel relaxed, I feel happy, I feel in a way like the same off court in terms of just enjoying my tennis, enjoying practicing, enjoying competing, and the process of getting better,” said the former world number 10.
“I think I feel the same [as 2021] in that sense.”
