Emma Raducanu is back on court and this time she’s switching gears—literally—to clay. After a promising hard-court run in Miami, where she reached her first-ever WTA 1000 quarter-final, the British No. 2 skipped two scheduled events for extra prep. Now, Madrid becomes her proving ground.
Set to face Suzan Lamens in the first round of the Madrid Open, Raducanu steps into her first clay-court match of the season. While the 22-year-old is still coached on an informal basis by Mark Petchey, all focus is on performance. The stakes are high, the surface is slow, and the competition is fierce.
Miami Momentum, Madrid Mindset
In March, Raducanu surprised just about everyone.
She stormed through Miami’s draw, dispatching higher-ranked players before bowing out in three tight sets to world No. 4 Jessica Pegula. It was the kind of gritty performance fans had been craving since her 2021 US Open fairytale.
Rather than riding the wave straight into clay season, Raducanu pivoted. She pulled out of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup squad and a WTA 250 event in Rouen to train. A bold move, especially since both events offered match-play opportunities.
Now, she lands in Madrid with the hope that her decision to prioritize preparation over play pays off.
The Schedule: When and Where to Watch
Here’s how it’s looking for Raducanu fans:
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Match Day: Wednesday, April 23
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Opponent: Suzan Lamens (NED)
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Time: Estimated 2:30pm local / 1:30pm BST
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Court: Arantxa Sanchez Stadium
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Where to Watch: Sky Sports in the UK or NOWTV Day Pass
She’s the third match on that court, so delays are very much on the cards. Anyone planning to catch her live would be wise to keep an eye on the earlier matches to avoid missing a single rally.
A Familiar Face in Her Corner
Mark Petchey, who coached her briefly post-2021 US Open and rejoined in Miami, is still on board.
His involvement, though, isn’t full-time. He’s juggling his coaching with TV commentary. Yet, the chemistry between the two in Miami was obvious. Petchey’s tactical nous and calming presence seem to click with Raducanu’s cerebral approach to tennis.
No one’s slapping a long-term label on this partnership yet. But for now, it’s working—and that’s what matters.
First-Round Foe: Who is Suzan Lamens?
Lamens, ranked outside the top 100, doesn’t carry the same name recognition. But she’s coming in hot.
She recently defeated Raducanu’s compatriot Katie Boulter during the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. That win alone signals she’s not to be underestimated on clay.
Raducanu will need to adjust quickly to the slower surface and find her rhythm early. Lamens won’t gift her anything.
The Draw Gets Dangerous Fast
If Raducanu clears the Lamens hurdle, her path doesn’t exactly smooth out.
Next up would be Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, currently ranked 29 in the world, and a regular fixture in second weeks of WTA events. And if Raducanu gets through that? She’s looking at a potential showdown with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.
The road to a deep run in Madrid is a minefield. But Raducanu’s shown she can flip the script before.
Brits Abroad: How the Others Are Doing
Raducanu isn’t the only Brit in the spotlight.
Katie Boulter advanced to the second round after toppling Katerina Siniakova. She now faces world No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, a real test of her growing credentials on tour.
On the men’s side, Jack Draper is seeded fifth and has a solid draw to start, with a possible clash against Berrettini looming before a potential Djokovic quarter-final.
Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie, now British No. 3, faces Martin Landaluce. If he clears that, it sets up a rematch with Czech star Jiri Lehecka, who Norrie recently beat.
Why Madrid Matters
Madrid isn’t just a warm-up for Roland Garros. It’s a WTA 1000 event with real ranking points and elite competition.
Raducanu needs both. Her ranking has hovered outside the top 200 for a while now due to injury and form fluctuations. A solid run here could inject confidence and momentum ahead of the French Open.
Madrid could be the turning point. Or just another false dawn.
That’s why this match, this week, feels like more than just the start of a clay season—it feels like a line in the sand.
