Emma Raducanu provided a bright start for Great Britain in their Billie Jean King Cup semi-final against Slovakia by winning the opening singles match in straight sets. The 22-year-old British star, who burst onto the tennis scene with her 2021 US Open triumph, has had an up-and-down journey since, with injuries and inconsistent performances shaping much of her 2024 season. Nevertheless, her spirited display in this high-stakes encounter reinforced her status as one of Britain’s top tennis talents and a player capable of rising to the occasion when her nation needs her most.
Raducanu’s 6-4, 6-4 victory over Viktoria Hruncakova continued a perfect streak for her in this year’s Billie Jean King Cup, as she has now won every match she’s played in the tournament. This was an impressive feat, especially considering her fitness concerns coming into the event. Earlier in the year, Raducanu had been sidelined by a significant injury sustained at the Korea Open. Her road to recovery was fraught with setbacks, but her determination to compete for her country remained unwavering.
Entering the Billie Jean King Cup, Raducanu had already shown glimpses of her former brilliance, reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon—a performance that marked her best Grand Slam run since her fairy-tale victory in New York three years ago. Raducanu’s path to the semi-finals included crucial wins over opponents from Germany and Canada, setting the stage for her showdown against Slovakia’s Hruncakova. Despite Hruncakova’s relatively low ranking at 234th in the world, Raducanu knew she faced a formidable competitor.
Speaking with *BBC Sport* after her victory, Raducanu was quick to commend her Slovakian rival, recognizing the strength of her game and dismissing the significance of her ranking. “I think today was a really, really tough battle,” Raducanu remarked. “My opponent has a huge ball strike, and I think despite her ranking, she plays much above that. Especially on these courts, it really suits her.” Hruncakova, while not well-known on the WTA Tour, had managed to push Raducanu in both sets, demonstrating her skill and potential.
The match itself was a display of mental toughness and tactical precision from Raducanu. She stayed composed under pressure, executing her shots with accuracy and maintaining a high level of focus. “Every match is extremely challenging, and I think as the tournament progresses, it’s more and more,” Raducanu said. “I’m really pleased with how I once again composed myself and toughed it out in both sets.” Her words reflected both the pride of representing her country and the challenges of facing international competition in a team format.
Unfortunately for Great Britain, the momentum Raducanu created did not carry over to the rest of the tie. Katie Boulter, Britain’s top-ranked female player, faced Rebecca Sramkova in the next singles match and appeared poised to clinch victory for her team after taking the first set 6-2. However, Sramkova mounted a remarkable comeback, eventually prevailing 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to level the tie at one match apiece. This left the fate of the semi-final resting on the doubles encounter.
In the decisive doubles match, Slovakia’s Hruncakova teamed up with Tereza Mihalikova to take on Britain’s duo of Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson. Unfortunately for the British pair, the Slovakian team was dominant, delivering a clinical 6-2, 6-2 victory to secure Slovakia’s place in the final. For Great Britain, it was a bitterly disappointing conclusion to an otherwise commendable run in the competition.
The loss marked another chapter in Britain’s long quest for Billie Jean King Cup glory. Their resurgence in the competition began in earnest in 2022, when they reached their first semi-final since 1981. Since then, Raducanu and her teammates have carried the hopes of British tennis fans, aiming to capture the elusive title. Despite this setback, their continued presence in the latter stages of the tournament is a testament to their progress and growing competitiveness on the world stage.
As the dust settles on this year’s campaign, Raducanu and her fellow British players will turn their focus to 2025, determined to come back stronger and challenge for the trophy once more. The experience gained from competing at this level, both individually and as a team, will undoubtedly serve as motivation for future campaigns. Meanwhile, Slovakia moves on to the final, where they will face defending champions Italy—a clash that promises to deliver more high-quality tennis and drama.
Reflecting on Great Britain’s performance, Raducanu can take pride in her contributions and the resilience she has shown throughout a challenging year. She remains one of Britain’s brightest hopes in tennis and a key figure in their Billie Jean King Cup aspirations. Her journey, like that of her team, is far from over. As they regroup and prepare for the future, their passion, talent, and determination offer hope that Great Britain’s long wait for a Billie Jean King Cup title may one day come to an end.