Raducanu Falls in Ningbo: Physical Problems Persist for the British Tennis Player

British tennis player Emma Raducanu faced physical problems again, marking her exit from the Ningbo Open in the first round. Raducanu, who is ranked number 1 in the UK, returned to the court a week after retiring in Wuhan due to dizziness in hot and humid conditions. Although she posted a photo on social media from a doctor’s office, indicating she was feeling better, her performance declined after winning the first set against China’s Zhu Lin, losing with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Despite the fact that there didn’t seem to be any concerns initially, Raducanu showed signs of fatigue at the beginning of the second set, requesting medical assistance after seven games. The situation worsened in the decisive set, where the 2021 US Open champion required medical attention again, this time for lower back problems, reaching the end of the match with difficulty.

Raducanu did not have her coach Francisco Roig, who was in Barcelona. Instead, she was accompanied by her training partner Alexis Canter and the fitness trainer Daniel Pohl. Canter provided support to Raducanu, who managed to stay ahead in the first set, despite showing frustration and losing her serve twice. The concern increased in the second set, when Raducanu was quickly surpassed by Zhu, who was in the top 30 two years ago. Raducanu stayed in the match, tying the score at 2-2 and then at 4-4 after consulting the doctor, who checked her blood pressure. However, she made an error on the set point in the tenth game. After a break in the bathroom, the situation did not improve. Raducanu’s back problems, which have been recurrent during the season, reappeared. In the final set, she was seen doubled over on several occasions and requested medical time after three games. Although Raducanu chose not to retire, her mobility was limited, and the match concluded rapidly.