In a dramatic turn at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, the electrifying doubles partnership of Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina, affectionately dubbed “ER²” by fans, came to an unexpected halt during their semifinal match. The British-Kazakh duo, both Grand Slam champions, retired just five games into their clash against second seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai, trailing 1-4 in the first set. The decision, driven by Raducanu’s apparent illness and the grueling Washington heat, underscored the physical toll of their demanding schedules as both players prioritized their singles semifinal matches scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The “Rybacanu” pairing had captured the tennis world’s imagination from the moment their entry into the doubles draw was announced. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, and Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, brought star power and raw talent to the court, despite their limited doubles experience. Their campaign began with a thrilling comeback against fourth seeds Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls, overcoming a 2-6 first-set deficit to win 7-6(4), 11-9 in a tense super tie-break. “Let’s go!!” Raducanu exclaimed on social media, while Rybakina summed up the match with a succinct “Survived😅🫰🏼.” Their chemistry shone again in the quarterfinals, where they dispatched Giuliana Olmos and Aldila Sutjiadi 7-6(8-6), 6-4, showcasing razor-sharp serves and growing confidence at the net. “Yeah, I think she’s really nice girl. It was a lot of fun,” Rybakina said of her partner, hinting at potential future collaborations.
However, the Washington conditions tested their endurance. Raducanu, who had already battled through a sweltering 6-4, 7-5 singles quarterfinal victory over Maria Sakkari earlier that day, described the heat as feeling “like someone had left an oven door open.” The temperature soared into the mid-90s Fahrenheit, with humidity pushing the heat index near 100°F, making even warm-ups grueling. “Today, even in the match warmup, you just go outside and you’re sweating,” she noted, contrasting the oppressive humidity with Wimbledon’s drier heat. During her singles match, Raducanu required a medical timeout to check her blood pressure, a sign of the physical strain that carried into the doubles semifinal. Rybakina, fresh off a 6-3, 6-3 singles win over Magdalena Frech, had barely an hour to recover before returning to the court, compounding the duo’s fatigue.
The semifinal against Townsend and Zhang, both seasoned doubles specialists, proved a step too far. After holding their opening service game, Raducanu and Rybakina were broken twice in succession, falling behind 1-4. Recognizing the uphill battle and the need to preserve energy for their singles semifinals—Raducanu against Anna Kalinskaya and Rybakina against Leylah Fernandez—the pair made the tough call to retire. “Not super surprising, considering both are still in the SF of singles & Emma had a tough match in the heat today,” one observer noted, capturing the sentiment that the withdrawal was a strategic move to protect their singles campaigns.
For Raducanu, the doubles run was a chance to build momentum after a challenging few years marked by injuries and surgeries. Her singles performance in Washington, including victories over Marta Kostyuk, Naomi Osaka, and Sakkari, has already propelled her to No. 32 in the live WTA Rankings, her highest since 2022. A potential final appearance could see her crack the Top 30, positioning her for a US Open seeding. Rybakina, ranked No. 12, is chasing a spot in the WTA Finals top 8, with her 14-4 record in recent matches showcasing her consistency. “Of course tough match, but I’m happy that I played doubles, and I think it’s good as a practice, preparation for singles,” she remarked after her singles win over Mboko.
The abrupt end to their doubles journey disappointed fans, who had embraced the “ER²” moniker and the duo’s infectious energy. Yet, the focus now shifts to their singles aspirations, with both players eyeing deep runs in Washington and the upcoming WTA 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati. As Raducanu continues her quest to rediscover her 2021 form and Rybakina aims for her 21st career final, their brief but memorable doubles partnership will remain a highlight of the 2025 Citi DC Open, a testament to their resilience and adaptability in the face of relentless challenges.
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