The 2025 Korea Open in Seoul, a pivotal WTA 500 event, has been thrown into disarray by relentless heavy rain, leaving players, including British No. 1 Emma Raducanu, and fans in limbo. With matches repeatedly postponed, including Raducanu’s highly anticipated first-round clash against Jaqueline Cristian, tennis enthusiasts are voicing concerns about whether the tournament can conclude on schedule. The soggy courts at Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center have sparked frustration and debate, with social media buzzing with sentiments like, “Raining almost every day this whole week out there, how on earth are they even going to finish this tournament in time seems impossible.” As the Asian swing kicks off, the stakes are high for players like Raducanu, who are chasing crucial ranking points ahead of the WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan.
The tournament, which began on September 16, 2025, faced immediate challenges as rain washed out most of Day 2’s schedule. Only former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova managed to complete her match, cruising past qualifier Tatiana Prozorova 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour during a brief dry spell. Meanwhile, Raducanu’s match against Cristian, originally set for Tuesday evening, was pushed to Wednesday, with a tentative start time of 2:00 PM local time (6:00 AM UK time). However, forecasts predict more wet weather, raising doubts about further play. “No game today til 6pm local time. Can WTA even finish this tournament by the 21st? 😅,” one fan posted, capturing the growing anxiety among spectators.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and eighth seed, entered the Korea Open with high hopes after opting out of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to focus on the WTA Tour. Her decision to prioritize Seoul, where she’s working with new coach Francisco Roig, has drawn both support and criticism. “Raducanu’s was the one that was a real shame to me,” said TV presenter Matt Roberts, echoing sentiments of British fans disappointed by her absence from the team event in Shenzhen. Yet, Raducanu sees the Asian swing as a chance to build on her encouraging hard-court season, which included a semi-final in Washington and a competitive three-hour battle against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati. “I thrive in Asia,” she declared, expressing confidence in her comfort with the region’s conditions and culture.
The rain delays have disrupted not only Raducanu but also other stars like Diana Shnaider, who was locked in a tight match with Caty McNally, tied at one set apiece before play was halted. Other postponed matches include Beatriz Haddad Maia versus wildcard Dayeon Back and Sorana Cirstea versus Anastasia Zakharova. Organizers are scrambling to reschedule, with Wednesday’s order of play starting at noon on Centre Court and the Grandstand. One fan suggested a potential solution, noting, “Beijing not starting until next Wednesday does leave some room for error if the rain continues into the weekend if they’d have to do a Monday final.” However, with the China Open looming, a compressed schedule could strain players physically and mentally.
The Korea Open’s history of weather disruptions isn’t new—last year’s event also faced multiple washouts—but the current situation feels particularly dire. “Welcome back WTA finals Cancun,” another fan quipped, referencing past tournaments marred by weather chaos. Despite clear forecasts for Thursday and Friday, persistent rain on Wednesday threatens to push the tournament further behind. For Raducanu, who faces Krejcikova in the second round if she advances past Cristian, the delays add suspense to an already scrutinized campaign. Her choice to focus on tour points over national duty has intensified the spotlight, with fans eager to see if she can deliver a deep run.
As players like Krejcikova, Shnaider, and Haddad Maia wait out the weather, the Korea Open remains a test of patience and adaptability. For Raducanu, it’s a chance to prove her resilience and justify her strategic choices. With the tennis world watching, the question remains: can the WTA navigate the rain-soaked chaos to crown a champion, or will the elements steal the show?
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