Emma Raducanu has spoken warmly about the role her mother, Renee Zhai, plays as she continues her 2025 season in Asia, revealing how much comfort and support she draws from traveling with her to tournaments in China.
The British star recently competed at the Wuhan Open, where her mother was present in the stands cheering her on. Now, Raducanu is preparing for the Ningbo Open, where she is set to face Zhu Lin in the first round on October 14 — and once again, her mother will be by her side.
During a pre-tournament press conference, Raducanu was asked how meaningful it is to have her Chinese-born mother accompany her in China, especially given her familiarity with the culture.
The former US Open champion did not hide her appreciation, describing her mother as someone who makes life on the road much easier. She explained that she particularly enjoys traveling in Asia with her mom, noting that everything feels more relaxed and comfortable.
Raducanu added that her mother is excellent at organizing things and fixing small issues that come up during long trips, which makes the demanding end-of-season schedule far more manageable. Raducanu’s Wuhan Open campaign, however, was cut short, as she was forced to withdraw in the first round against Ann Li due to health concerns. Speaking further at the press conference, the 22-year-old also reflected on her overall experience during the 2025 Asian swing. She described it as a “special” period, pointing out that this is her first full Asian season on tour.
According to Raducanu, the support she has received from fans across Asia — particularly in China — has been overwhelming and deeply motivating. She highlighted the passion and dedication of Chinese fans, saying their encouragement stands out compared to what she experiences in Europe or the United States.
At the same time, she acknowledged that playing at this stage of the season comes with physical challenges, as players must push themselves harder and be more in tune with their bodies.
Despite the warm reception from fans, results during the Asian swing have not gone as planned for Raducanu. She has struggled to advance beyond the second round in tournaments such as the Korean Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open, making the Ningbo Open another important opportunity for her to find momentum before the season ends.
