British tennis star Emma Raducanu was forced to retire during her first-round match at the Wuhan Open, trailing 6-1, 4-1 against American Ann Li. The 22-year-old appeared to struggle with the intense heat and humidity in China before ending the match early following a medical timeout.
The 2021 US Open champion looked visibly unwell throughout the contest, appearing dizzy and drained in the second set. Her decision to retire adds to a growing number of player withdrawals seen throughout this year’s Asian tour due to fatigue and difficult playing conditions.
Ann Li advanced to the next round, where she will face Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova. Li expressed sympathy for Raducanu after the match, noting that her opponent “didn’t seem to be feeling well.”
Early Promise Fades
Raducanu made a strong start, breaking Li’s serve in the opening game. But her momentum quickly disappeared as Li won six straight games to take the first set in just 28 minutes. The American dominated the rallies, while Raducanu’s game unraveled with frequent unforced errors and growing signs of physical distress.
In the second set, Raducanu committed four double faults in a row and appeared to signal that she might stop playing. Despite briefly holding serve, it became clear she was in significant discomfort.
Retirement Inevitable
After Li took a commanding 4-1 lead in the second set, Raducanu called for medical attention. Following a brief assessment, she shook hands with her opponent and retired from the match.
The decision marks another frustrating setback in Raducanu’s attempt to regain consistency and fitness. Persistent physical issues have hampered her efforts to rebuild momentum since her breakthrough US Open victory four years ago.
Growing Concerns Over Asia Tour Schedule
Raducanu’s retirement adds to ongoing criticism of the demanding tennis calendar, particularly during the Asian swing. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek recently called the schedule “excessive,” warning about the physical strain it places on players traveling long distances between events in quick succession.
Several players have withdrawn or retired mid-match in recent weeks, citing exhaustion or injury. The combination of long-haul travel, climate changes, and tight tournament scheduling has raised questions about player welfare.
Earlier Tuesday, Naomi Osaka defeated Leylah Fernandez in a grueling three-set match, while Amanda Anisimova withdrew with a calf injury just days after winning the China Open—another reminder of the toll this period of the season takes on players.
What’s Next for Raducanu
Raducanu and her team will now evaluate her condition and decide whether to continue with the remaining events in Asia or take time off to recover. Managing her health will be crucial as she plans for the upcoming indoor season.
The incident once again highlights concerns over player workload in modern tennis, where relentless travel and competition often leave little time for rest or recovery.
As for Ann Li, the American moves into the next round with confidence, though the manner of her win—a retirement—left the contest feeling unfinished.
