The Seoul skyline was cloaked in grey as relentless rain washed away hopes of a full day of tennis at the 2025 Korea Open, leaving Emma Raducanu, Britain’s former US Open champion, stranded in the wings. The 22-year-old, seeded eighth at the WTA 500 event, was poised to launch her campaign against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in a highly anticipated first-round clash on Centre Court. Originally slated for a late-night slot in Korea—around 10 a.m. UK time—the match was thrown into jeopardy as downpours disrupted the tournament schedule, forcing organizers to postpone play until Wednesday. For Raducanu, who opted to skip the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to chase ranking points in Seoul, the delay adds suspense to a pivotal moment in her season, as she battles to climb back toward the world’s top 32.
The rain began its assault early Tuesday, halting play after just one match. Barbora Krejcikova, the former Wimbledon champion and US Open quarter-finalist, seized a brief dry spell to dispatch qualifier Tatiana Prozorova 6-1, 6-2 in a brisk 76 minutes, securing her spot in the second round. But as the skies opened again, matches like Anastasia Zakharova versus Sorana Cirstea were promptly rescheduled for Wednesday, and Raducanu’s clash with Cristian joined the growing list of casualties. A glimmer of hope emerged when the courts briefly dried, with organizers eyeing a restart within an hour. Yet, just as Diana Shnaider and Caty McNally resumed their battle—locked at one set apiece—the rain returned with a vengeance, dousing any chance of further play. “It’s raining again at the Seoul WTA 500,” one observer noted, capturing the frustration as tournament staff, armed with pink towels, fought a losing battle to dry the courts.
Raducanu’s decision to prioritize Seoul over national duty has already stirred debate. After a bruising third-round loss to Elena Rybakina at the US Open, the British No. 1 chose to forgo Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup quarter-final against Japan in Shenzhen, opting instead for a wildcard entry into the Korea Open. The move allows her to build on her partnership with new coach Francisco Roig, whose tactical expertise has shown early promise. “I just have to think bigger-picture,” Raducanu said recently, outlining her goal to “finish this season strong” and set herself up for a robust 2026. With her current ranking hovering around No. 33, a deep run in Seoul could secure the points needed to earn a seeded spot at the Australian Open, easing her path in the year’s first Grand Slam.
The Korea Open draw is no cakewalk. If Raducanu overcomes Cristian, ranked No. 43 with a career-best season that includes a WTA 125 title and a win over Rybakina, she’ll face Krejcikova in the second round—a daunting prospect given the Czech’s recent form. A potential quarter-final looms against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who shares Raducanu’s quarter of the draw and has bested her in two majors this year. Despite the challenges, Raducanu’s choice reflects her ruthless focus on individual progress. Her former coach, Mark Petchey, defended her, noting the unforgiving WTA schedule: “I don’t think you can blame Emma for a schedule that makes zero sense.” He praised her commitment, recalling her standout performance on clay against France in last year’s Billie Jean King Cup, where she proved she can “produce the goods” for her country when called upon.
Tuesday’s washout has reshuffled Wednesday’s order of play, with Raducanu and Cristian now set to follow the Zakharova-Cirstea match on Centre Court, likely starting no earlier than 2 p.m. local time—6 a.m. UK time or 1 a.m. on the US East Coast. Other rescheduled matches include Beatriz Haddad Maia versus wildcard Dayeon Back and Suzan Lamens against Tatjana Maria, while Shnaider and McNally will resume their tense duel. The forecast for Wednesday remains dicey, with rain predicted into the afternoon, but clearer skies on Thursday and Friday offer hope that the tournament can regain its rhythm. For Raducanu, the delay is a test of patience, but also a chance to regroup and strategize with Roig. “It’s been pretty big changes,” she said of her evolving game, particularly her serve, which has undergone “a lot of iterations” since the clay season. Her recent wins, including a semifinal in Washington, suggest she’s rediscovering her spark.
As Seoul’s courts sit silent under a drizzle-soaked canopy, the sparse crowd—described as facing “a wall of grey seats”—underscores the contrast with the electric atmosphere of Flushing Meadows. Raducanu, no stranger to high stakes, now waits to seize her moment in Korea. Will the rain relent, allowing her to ignite her Asian swing? Or will the elements conspire to test her resolve further? For a player determined to reclaim her place among the elite, every match counts—and the world is watching.
Leave a Reply