Emma Raducanu was eager on "pushing herself bodily" in Ningbo, however it didn't go effectively after the world No. 29 handled a number of points and misplaced her first-round match after refusing to retire.
Final week in Wuhan, the 2021 US Open champion was mightily struggling on the courtroom towards Ann Li as she gave the impression to be hampered by the humid circumstances. After having her vitals checked, the Briton retired whereas 1-6 1-4 down.
On Tuesday, Raducanu returned to motion on the WTA 500 event in Ningbo. In contrast to in Wuhan, the British tennis participant made a optimistic begin to her opening Ningbo match and gained the primary set 6-3 towards Zhu Lin.
However then, the 22-year-old began to cope with bodily points and requested a medical timeout for a lower-back difficulty late within the second set – which she ended up dropping. Early within the third set, the physician got here out to examine the world No. 29's vitals. For the remainder of the match, the Briton evidently struggled together with her motion however refused to stop as 219th-ranked wildcard Zhu accomplished a 3-6 6-4 6-1 win.
Physio again out for Emma Raducanu.
Difficulty together with her decrease again now.
Raducanu to serve subsequent at 1-2 vs Lin Zhu in set 3 pic.twitter.com/5UxyqawuAk
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) October 14, 2025
What Raducanu precisely mentioned in her pre-tournament presser in Ningbo?
“I feel it's a particular feeling. I really feel very snug, I really feel like I get superb help right here, which is so good. I like how invested the Chinese language followers are and the way a lot help they provide. I feel the place it’s completely different is simply, it’s on the finish of the season, so it is advisable to push more durable bodily, you’re feeling it a bit extra, and mentally as effectively, to only focus. That’s in all probability the largest distinction," she mentioned.
Sadly for Raducanu, Ningbo didn't present her the breakthrough she focused. Now, will probably be attention-grabbing to see whether or not she decides to finish her season amid her ongoing struggles.
