In a dramatic turn at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, the electrifying doubles partnership of Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina, dubbed “ER²” by adoring fans, came to an abrupt halt during their semifinal match on July 25, 2025. Facing seasoned doubles specialists Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, the British-Kazakh duo retired while trailing 1-4 in the first set, citing Raducanu’s apparent illness as the decisive factor. The withdrawal, though disappointing, underscored the duo’s strategic focus on their singles campaigns, with both players advancing to the singles semifinals in Washington. The decision sparked murmurs of concern but also highlighted their resilience and camaraderie during a thrilling week that had captivated the tennis world.
The unexpected pairing of Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, and Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, had ignited excitement when announced. Neither player was a doubles regular—Raducanu had played just three professional doubles matches before 2025, and Rybakina’s doubles experience was limited to occasional WTA and Billie Jean King Cup outings. Yet, their impromptu decision to team up, sparked by a chance practice court chat in D.C., proved inspired. “How it came about, so in 2022 in Cincinnati, me and Elena were going to play doubles together, and that fell through,” Raducanu revealed, explaining how their 2025 collaboration was a spontaneous retry. Their chemistry shone through, earning them the nickname “ER²” and a legion of fans who packed the stands for their matches.
Their DC Open journey began with a heart-stopping first-round win over fourth seeds Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls on July 22. Down a set and trailing early, they battled back to win 2-6, 7-6(4), 11-9, surviving a tense tiebreak where they squandered four match points before clinching the fifth. “It was a rollercoaster,” a fan posted on X, capturing the match’s intensity. In the quarterfinals, they found their rhythm, defeating Giuliana Olmos and Aldila Sutjiadi 7-6(6), 6-4, showcasing improved serving and net play. “I think it’s good as a practice, preparation for singles,” Rybakina said, emphasizing the doubles’ role in sharpening their skills for the hardcourt swing. Their run, marked by infectious energy and Raducanu’s beaming “Let’s go!” after points, had fans dreaming of a title.
The semifinal against Townsend and Zhang, however, proved too steep a challenge. The second-seeded pair, known for their doubles prowess, broke Raducanu and Rybakina twice early, racing to a 4-1 lead. Raducanu, visibly unwell after a grueling singles quarterfinal against Maria Sakkari earlier that day, struggled in the oppressive 90-degree heat. “It was one of the toughest matches, conditions-wise, I have ever played in,” Raducanu said of her 6-4, 7-5 singles win, which required a medical timeout as she reeled off the last five games. Observers noted her discomfort during the doubles match, with one X post stating, “It was Emma who didn’t look well.” The decision to retire was pragmatic, prioritizing their singles semifinals on July 26—Raducanu against Anna Kalinskaya and Rybakina against Leylah Fernandez. “Poor scheduling to be honest,” one fan remarked on X, reflecting sentiment that the tight schedule pushed the duo to conserve energy.
For Raducanu, the week was a triumph despite the retirement. Her singles run, including victories over Marta Kostyuk and Naomi Osaka, propelled her to world No. 32, her highest ranking since 2022, and marked her first WTA 500 semifinal since her 2021 US Open title. Rybakina, seeded third, advanced with straight-set wins over Victoria Mboko and Magdalena Frech, eyeing her 21st career final. “It’s about learning how to stay calm again. Elena helped me with that,” Raducanu said, crediting their partnership for boosting her confidence. The doubles campaign, though cut short, honed their net skills and court awareness, critical for their upcoming US Open mixed doubles—Raducanu with Carlos Alcaraz and Rybakina with Taylor Fritz.
The withdrawal sparked concern but was widely seen as precautionary. “Hopefully Emma will rest up and will feel ok for her singles match tomorrow,” a fan posted on X, echoing the optimism surrounding “Rybacanu.” Their brief but vibrant run showcased their potential as a team, with Rybakina hinting at future collaborations: “It was a lot of fun, and hopefully we can play a bit more in the future.” As the North American hardcourt swing continues, Raducanu and Rybakina’s DC Open adventure—cut short but unforgettable—has set the stage for their singles showdowns and a tantalizing US Open ahead.
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