The touching reason Emma Raducanu is desperate to perform well at Canadian Open – ‘It means so much’

Emma Raducanu continued her fine form at the Canadian Open by defeating Peyton Stearns in the second round.  Raducanu has improved dramatically since Wimbledon, winning five games at the Washington Open and Canadian Open in back-to-back weeks.  Pam Shriver has not ruled out a Raducanu US Open win as the British star looks to secure seeding for the Grand Slam.  After her win against Stearns in Montreal, the star told the Canadian crowd why winning at the tournament ‘means so much’.

Emma Raducanu wants to pay back her Canadian roots

Raducanu revealed how pivotal the Montreal crowd was for her during her match with Stearns in the second round.  The star came through the match in a comfortable two sets, but she wobbled at the opening of the second.  Raducanu said the crowd helped her focus, as well as revealing why the tournament is more special to her than others.  “I just want to say thank you [to supporters],” said Raducanu after her victory during her on-court interview in Montreal.  “I saw the Union Jack in clutch moments, and I was actually born in Canada, so to me it means so much to do well here.”  Raducanu will need the backing of the crowd as she comes up against Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova in the third round.

What does Emma Raducanu need to do to secure US Open seeded entry?

Raducanu was ranked World No. 33 before the Canadian Open, which would have been enough for a seeding due to Qinwen Zheng’s injury.  However, plenty can change between now and the US Open, particularly with the Cincinnati Open to come in between the two tournaments.  One more win will likely secure Raducanu’s ranking inside the top 32, but it’s unclear whether the British star will play in Cincinnati.  The star didn’t play the Canadian Open in 2024, meaning she is not defending any points. Raducanu’s victory against Anisimova will likely mean she gets a seed for the US Open.