Under the oppressive humidity of Seoul’s Olympic Park Tennis Center, Emma Raducanu carved out a poignant moment in her unpredictable tennis saga, wrestling not only with her opponent but also with a torrent of emotions that spilled over in a tearful mid-match moment. The 22-year-old British star, still searching for the magic that propelled her to a historic 2021 US Open title, fought her way to a hard-won first-round victory at the Korea Open, overcoming Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 6-3, 6-4. The win, steeped in drama and resilience, was a testament to Raducanu’s grit, played out against a backdrop of relentless rain delays and personal battles that nearly broke her on court.
The match was a victim of Seoul’s unpredictable weather, with Tuesday’s schedule washed out by heavy rain that left the courts waterlogged. Wednesday offered little reprieve; play was halted multiple times as ground staff battled to dry the surface. When Raducanu finally took to the court, the weight of her world No. 33 ranking and eighth seed status hung heavy. Her recent performances, including a third-round loss to Elena Rybakina at the US Open, had shown glimpses of her potential but also underscored the lingering effects of injuries and inconsistent form since her Grand Slam breakthrough.
The opening set was a nerve-racking affair. Raducanu faltered early, a double fault gifting Cristian, ranked No. 41 and buoyed by recent strong showings, a break in the first game. The Romanian surged to a 2-0 lead, her aggressive play capitalizing on Raducanu’s shaky start. But the Brit, known for her tenacity, dug deep. She weathered a grueling hold, fending off four break points to claw her way onto the scoreboard. The set became a war of attrition, with long rallies under the sluggish, damp conditions testing both players’ endurance. By the sixth game, Raducanu leveled at 3-3 with a fierce forehand winner, but the effort seemed to unravel her composure.
During the changeover, the cameras captured a raw moment: Raducanu, visibly shaken, wiped tears from her eyes, her breaths uneven as she grappled with an unseen burden. The sparse crowd, huddled under umbrellas, fell silent, witnessing a rare glimpse of vulnerability from the former US Open champion. Whether sparked by the match’s intensity, the exasperating delays, or deeper personal struggles, the tears marked a turning point. Raducanu regrouped, her game igniting with purpose. She broke Cristian again, her serves finding their mark—67 percent of first serves landed—and closed the set 6-3 with a commanding hold.
The second set was a chaotic exchange of breaks, with neither player able to seize control. Cristian struck first, taking the opening two games, but Raducanu answered with a break in the third, her five aces cutting through the humid air. The set unfolded as a slugfest, with breaks traded like punches. A standout moment came when Raducanu unleashed a stunning cross-court winner after a punishing rally, leaving Cristian stranded. By the ninth game, another break gave Raducanu the edge. Despite Cristian’s late break point in the final game, Raducanu sealed the match on her first match point, collapsing to her knees in a mix of relief and exhaustion.
Reflecting afterward, Raducanu’s voice carried the weight of the ordeal. “I’m super happy to have won,” she said, her tone weary but resolute. “It hasn’t been easy. I feel like I’ve played this match the last three days. To have pulled through after waiting, I’m super pleased at how I came through. Jaqueline is a really tough opponent and has had great results recently. (They were) tough conditions, very slow, long rallies and long points, so happy to have got through. A big thank you to everyone who came out here and supported through the rain. Thank you to everyone.”
The victory arrives at a critical juncture for Raducanu, who stirred controversy by withdrawing from Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup finals squad to focus on the Asian WTA swing, a strategic move to bolster her ranking ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. The decision caught Team GB captain Anne Keothavong off guard, especially after Raducanu’s pivotal role in last year’s semi-final run in Malaga. Keothavong, while disappointed, shifted focus to her current lineup of Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Jodie Burrage, and debutant Fran Jones, a friend of Raducanu’s. “It’s obviously disappointing, but I do want the main focus to be on the players I have and the challenge we have ahead,” Keothavong said. “I believe in the players that I’ve got… Players will make decisions they feel is in their best interest, but my focus is just on this team. We take a huge amount of pride in this competition and we do want to be world champions.”
Raducanu’s emotional display in Seoul recalled a distressing episode earlier this year in Dubai, where she broke down during a match against Karolina Muchova, haunted by a stalker who had confronted her with a threatening letter. The individual, later hit with a restraining order, attempted to secure Wimbledon tickets, intensifying the off-court pressures that continue to challenge her.
This Korea Open win, Raducanu’s first since the US Open, marks a step toward recapturing her best form on the demanding hard courts of Asia. With a formidable second-round matchup against former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova looming, Raducanu faces a chance to prove her mettle. Her journey since that 2021 fairy-tale has been fraught with injuries, coaching changes, and the weight of expectation, but Seoul showcased her enduring spirit. The tears, far from a sign of weakness, fueled a performance that reaffirmed her resolve. As she navigates the highs and lows of professional tennis, Raducanu’s emotional victory in Seoul is a reminder: her path to the top is as much about heart as it is about skill.
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