British tennis star Emma Raducanu has opened up about the emotional toll of two recent heartbreaking defeats as she prepares for her comeback at the Dongfeng · Voyah Wuhan Open.
The 2021 US Open champion admitted she struggled to process back-to-back losses to Barbora Krejcikova and Jessica Pegula, both matches in which she held multiple match points before slipping to defeat.
“It was tough for me,” Raducanu confessed in an interview with Tennis365. “In my last two matches, I had match points in both — something that hasn’t really happened to me before. To have it occur twice in a week was new and hard to get my head around.”
Despite the disappointment, the British No.1 said she has found plenty of positives from those experiences.
“I think the second match was easier to get over because I knew I was playing better tennis,” she added. “I didn’t dwell on it too long — I went straight back to work to prepare for this week.”
Building on Progress with Coach Francisco Roig
Raducanu’s serve has become a significant weapon in recent months, thanks to her ongoing collaboration with coach Francisco Roig. She’s determined to keep that momentum going after strong performances in the early rounds of the US Open.
“I was doing things I hadn’t been doing earlier in the year,” she said. “Against Jessie (Pegula), I felt much more composed and confident than when we met in Miami. I can see the progress and the areas I still need to reach, but I know I’m doing good work day to day.”
The Brit highlighted her serving improvements as key to staying competitive.
“Getting a few free points on serve makes a huge difference,” she noted. “That’s something I’m really pleased about.”
Finding Comfort in Wuhan
Playing in Wuhan carries special meaning for Raducanu, whose mother is Chinese. She said she feels a personal connection to the country, especially during Golden Week, when families across China celebrate together.
“It’s my first time here, and it’s been really nice,” she shared. “There’s a lavender field right across from the tennis centre — it’s beautiful. The stadiums are amazing too, with unique architecture. I’m still finding my way around, but it’s exciting.”
As she prepares for her final WTA 1000 event of the year, Raducanu remains optimistic — focusing less on the pain of the past and more on the progress she’s steadily building.
“I know where I want to go,” she said with a smile. “And I’m doing the work to get there.”
