Emma Raducanu, the British No. 1, delivered a gritty performance at the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open, overcoming American Ann Li 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1 in a first-round match on June 24, 2025, at Devonshire Park. The two-hour, 18-minute battle saw Raducanu fight back from a set and a break down, but her emotional response during the on-court interview stole the spotlight. Breaking down in tears, she attributed her reaction to “some pretty bad news” received before the match, while also providing a cautious fitness update as Wimbledon approaches on June 30, 2025.
Raducanu, ranked World No. 38, struggled early against Li, trailing 3-0 in the first set and slipping on the grass, briefly clutching her hip. Despite leading 5-3 in the tiebreak, she dropped the set but rallied impressively, winning 10 of the final 12 games. “It was a physically demanding match,” she said. “In the wind, you’re constantly adjusting. We had long rallies, I was running a lot. I feel OK, a little bit of fatigue, a bit of stiffness, but I need to see how I feel tomorrow.” Her back injury, lingering since Strasbourg and exacerbated during a Queen’s Club quarterfinal loss to Qinwen Zheng, remains a concern. She withdrew from the Berlin Open to manage the issue, which required a medical timeout at Queen’s. “I’m doing everything—needles, soft tissue, muscle stimulation, taping,” she noted, acknowledging the ongoing challenge but expressing optimism.
The emotional weight of the match was compounded by personal news Raducanu chose not to disclose. “I’d prefer to keep it personal, but it was difficult and very emotional at the end, probably just a release of different emotions,” she told BBC Sport. Her mental absence in the first set was evident, but the presence of Billie Jean King Cup teammate Fran Jones in her coaching box alongside Mark Petchey provided crucial support. “Fran’s a close friend and knows what’s going on behind the scenes,” Raducanu said. “Her support meant so much today. She’s intelligent about tennis and life, and we can talk for hours about tactics and technique.” Jones, ranked No. 125 and competing in Eastbourne, left during the third set, which Raducanu jokingly credited for her 6-1 finish: “The best aim of a coach is to coach yourself out of a job.”
The victory sets up a second-round clash with 19-year-old Australian Maya Joint, who upset Ons Jabeur. Raducanu, who regained her British No. 1 ranking after a Queen’s quarterfinal, faces a tough path with potential matches against Daria Kasatkina. Her resilience, backed by a supportive crowd, bodes well for Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round in 2021 and 2024. However, her fitness and emotional stability will be critical as she navigates the grass-court season.
