The 2021 US Open champion stunned fans this weekend when she debuted a dramatically different look on Instagram, trading in her usual sporty aesthetic for a bold, high-fashion transformation that had fans and fashionistas alike doing double takes.
“Wait… is that even Emma? She looks insane — in the best way possible,” one fan commented.
Wearing a sleek, jet-black bob haircut, dramatic eyeliner, and a couture outfit from Balenciaga’s upcoming fall line, Raducanu looked every inch the runway star in a series of professionally shot photos captioned:
“New era. 🎾 x 🖤”
💥 Fans React: “Iconic,” “Unrecognizable,” “Next-Level Queen!”
The reaction online was immediate and intense. Within hours, “Emma Raducanu” was trending on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of users sharing screenshots of the look.
“Emma Raducanu just dropped a Vogue-worthy post in the middle of Wimbledon prep. Absolute icon,” wrote one user.
Others were shocked by the transformation — but in a good way.
“I didn’t even recognize her at first. She’s giving supermodel meets assassin energy and I am LIVING for it,” another fan gushed.
Of course, not everyone was on board. Some critics questioned the timing, noting her recent injury-related absences and lack of match play.
“She should be training, not modeling,” one comment read, sparking a mini-debate over whether women athletes are held to an unfair standard compared to their male counterparts.
🧥 Fashion Meets Fierce — On and Off the Court
This isn’t the first time Raducanu has dipped into the fashion world. She’s previously been spotted at Paris Fashion Week, and has walked red carpets in looks from Dior and Chanel.
Insiders say this latest shoot could be tied to an upcoming campaign — though Raducanu has remained tight-lipped about the details.
🎾 What’s Next?
With her return to grass court season just around the corner, the buzz surrounding her look could add pressure — or motivation — as she eyes a comeback at Wimbledon.
Whether she’s dominating center court or center stage, one thing’s for sure: Emma Raducanu knows how to keep the world watching.
📸 Swipe through the photos below and decide for yourself — is this
