Raducanu’s Reliance On Books For Healing Underscores A Rising Trend Among Athletes To Focus On Mental Health, Serving As A Reminder That Recovery And Well-Being Are Vital Aspects Of An Athlete’s Journey, Both In Competition And Beyond.
After a heartbreaking exit from the 2025
Australian Open, tennis star Emma
Raducanu has found solace and therapy
in an unexpected place—books. The
young British player, who has faced the
weight of expectations since her surprise
victory at the 2021 US Open, is using
literature as a way to process the
emotional toll of the tournament, where
she suffered an early defeat that left her
both mentally and physically drained.
Raducanu, 21, was poised for a
promising start to the 2025 season, but
her hopes were dashed when she was
knocked out in the second round of the
Australian Open. Known for her calm
demeanor and composure on the court,
the loss was a bitter blow, especially after
a promising build-up to the tournament.
With her early exit, the pressure to
regain her 2021 form, combined with
ongoing injury concerns, has taken a toll
on her mental well-being.
Rather than succumbing to frustration,
Raducanu has turned inward, seeking
refuge in the pages of books. In a candid
interview following her defeat, she
shared how literature has become an
essential part of her recovery process.
“Tennis is a sport that demands so much
physically and emotionally. After the
disappointment, I needed to find
something that could help me clear my
mind and heal,” Raducanu explained.
“Books have always been my escape, and
right now, they offer me a way to
reconnect with myself, away from the
court.”
Reading, she says, offers her a form of
therapy—a means of disconnecting from
the pressures of her sport and providing
emotional clarity. Raducanu is
particularly drawn to historical fiction
and works of philosophy, genres that
allow her to dive into different worlds
and perspectives. One of her recent
favorites is a novel about the resilience
of individuals during wartime, which she
has found to be a source of strength as
she navigates the challenges of her own
career.
The 2025 Australian Open marked a
critical point in Raducanu’s career.
Having struggled with injuries over the
past year and dealing with the persistent
demands of being a young star in the
public eye, she had hoped the new
season would bring her closer to
regaining her peak form. However, after
her early exit in Melbourne, it became
clear that the emotional toll of constant
pressure and recovery was weighing
heavily on her.
For Raducanu, who made a meteoric rise
to fame at just 18 years old by winning
the US Open without dropping a set, the
journey has been filled with both
triumph and difficulty. Expectations
skyrocketed after that historic win, and
though she has had flashes of brilliance
since, consistency has been elusive. The
mental and physical demands of top-tier
tennis are enormous, and for someone as
young as Raducanu, the constant
spotlight and intense scrutiny can
sometimes feel overwhelming.
In an era where athletes are increasingly
open about their mental health struggles,
Raducanu’s approach to healing is a
refreshing reminder of the power of self-
care and mental well-being. Turning to
books, she finds herself able to
decompress and reset her mind for the
next chapter in her career. “I think it’s
important to take time for yourself,
especially in an individual sport like
tennis,” she shared. “When you’re
constantly training and competing, it’s
easy to forget about your mental health,
but I’ve learned that it’s just as important
as physical recovery.”
Raducanu’s story serves as an important
lesson for many young athletes,
particularly those who rise to fame
quickly. It emphasizes the importance of
finding healthy outlets for stress and
pressure. In her case, books have become
not only a source of emotional comfort
but also a tool for personal growth.
As she prepares for the next leg of the
2025 season, Raducanu is committed to
balancing her mental well-being with
her career. With her determination and
introspective approach, there’s no doubt
that she will continue to push forward,
using literature as both an anchor and a
source of strength.
Raducanu’s use of books for therapy
highlights a growing trend among
athletes to prioritize mental health,
reminding us all that recovery and
healing are integral parts of an athlete’s
journey—both on and off the court.
