The 2025 Korea Open in Seoul ground to a halt on Tuesday, September 16, as unrelenting rain washed out the day’s play, leaving fans eagerly awaiting British star Emma Raducanu’s first-round match against Jaqueline Cristian. The 21-year-old, seeded eighth at the WTA 500 event, was poised to take Centre Court, but the weather had other plans, forcing tournament organizers to reschedule her highly anticipated debut for Wednesday. The postponement, while frustrating, has only heightened the excitement for Raducanu’s return, as she aims to capitalize on a promising hard-court season and silence critics questioning her recent career choices.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, arrived in Seoul with momentum from her North American swing, despite a tough third-round loss to Elena Rybakina at the US Open. Her decision to skip the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen to prioritize the Korea Open sparked heated debate. Some praised her focus on climbing from her current No. 36 world ranking to secure a seeded spot at the 2026 Australian Open, while others criticized her absence from Great Britain’s team event. “It’s very easy to come down on the side that you should want to represent your country,” said her former coach Mark Petchey, defending her choice. “When you look back at what she achieved on clay against France, she proved that when she’s put up against it, she can produce the goods.” For Raducanu, Seoul is a critical opportunity to build on her resurgence and prove her mettle against a stacked field.
The rain began its assault early Tuesday, delaying play for hours. A fleeting dry spell allowed former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova to dispatch qualifier Tatiana Prozorova 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour, setting up a potential second-round clash with Raducanu, should she defeat Cristian. But as the skies opened again, all other matches, including Raducanu’s and a gripping contest between Diana Shnaider and Caty McNally, tied at 6-2, 2-6, were halted. “The courts were almost dry, and now it’s raining again in Seoul,” an observer groaned, capturing the mounting frustration as the forecast predicted a 73% chance of rain into the evening. By 7:30 p.m. local time, organizers called off play entirely, pushing all remaining matches to Wednesday.
Raducanu’s rescheduled match against Cristian is now set for Centre Court, no earlier than 2 p.m. local time (6 a.m. UK time), following the opening clash between Anastasia Zakharova and Sorana Cirstea. The revised schedule promises a packed day, with other postponed matches like Beatriz Haddad Maia versus Dayeon Back and Suzan Lamens versus Tatjana Maria also slated for Wednesday. The presence of top seed Iga Swiatek in Raducanu’s quarter adds further intrigue, as a deep run could pit the young Brit against one of the game’s elite. Despite the delay, Raducanu remains focused, buoyed by her new coaching partnership with Francisco Roig, formerly of Rafael Nadal’s team. The duo was spotted studying Swiatek’s practice session in Seoul, a testament to Raducanu’s commitment to refining her game. “Right now, we’re working through to the end of the year, and I’m looking forward to just getting back to work,” she said, noting improvements in her serve, which delivered 11 aces in a recent win over Yue Yuan.
The postponement tests Raducanu’s patience, especially given her history at the Korea Open, where injuries forced her to retire in 2022 (against Jelena Ostapenko) and 2024 (against Daria Kasatkina). “It’s a pity to get injured, especially in the deeper stages of the tournament,” Kasatkina remarked after last year’s withdrawal, wishing Raducanu well. This time, the Brit is determined to stay healthy and make a statement. Her focus on individual tournaments reflects a broader strategy to solidify her standing in a sport where solo performance defines success. “Tennis is above all an individual sport. Players are ranked and judged on their solo performances,” one analyst observed, underscoring Raducanu’s calculated gamble.
As Seoul’s forecast brightens for Wednesday, anticipation is building. The sparse crowd, braving Tuesday’s drizzle with umbrellas, reflected the disappointment, but the rescheduled lineup promises high-stakes drama. Raducanu’s clash with Cristian, a world No. 43 Romanian with a career-best 2025 season, marks their first meeting and a chance for the Brit to assert her dominance. A victory could set up a blockbuster against Krejcikova, testing her against a two-time Grand Slam champion. For Raducanu, Seoul is more than a tournament—it’s a proving ground to quiet doubters and showcase her evolution. As the clouds part, the stage is set for her to remind the tennis world why she remains a global sensation.
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