British tennis player Emma Raducanu has faced physical difficulties again, this time at the Ningbo Open, where she was eliminated in the first round.
This event marks another withdrawal for Raducanu, who had already abandoned her opening match in Wuhan due to dizziness in hot and humid conditions.
Despite posting a photo on social media from the doctor’s office and claiming to feel better, Raducanu couldn’t maintain her performance after winning the first set against China’s Zhu Lin, ultimately losing with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Although there didn’t seem to be any problems initially, Raducanu showed signs of fatigue at the beginning of the second set and requested 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, and finished the match with difficulties.Raducanu did not have her coach Francisco Roig, who was in Barcelona. Instead, her training partner Alexis Canter and the physical trainer Daniel Pohl were present.
Canter offered support to Raducanu, who managed to stay ahead during the first set despite her frustration and losing her serve twice.
The concern increased in the second set, when Raducanu quickly lost 2-0, showing slowness in her movements and being surpassed by Zhu.
Raducanu managed to stay in the set, tying 2-2 and then 4-4 after a medical consultation where her blood pressure was measured. However, she missed a forehand on the set point in the tenth game.
After a break, the situation did not improve. Raducanu’s back problem, which has affected her during the season, reappeared.
He doubled over repeatedly at the start of the deciding set and requested a medical timeout after three games.
Raducanu decided not to retire again, but her mobility was limited and the match concluded quickly.
