Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis star and 2021 US Open champion, has broken her silence following an emotional breakdown during her first-round victory at the 2025 Korea Open in Seoul on September 17. Raducanu, ranked world No. 33, defeated Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 6-3, 6-4 in a rain-delayed match that lasted two hours and 15 minutes, advancing to face former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round. However, the win was marred by visible tears during changeovers, particularly after the first set, where Raducanu wiped her eyes and appeared visibly distressed. In a post-match interview with WTA TV, Raducanu addressed the moment, attributing it to the “tough conditions” and “long rallies,” but also hinting at the mental strain of her recent decisions, including skipping the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for Team GB.
The Match: A Hard-Fought Battle in Seoul
Raducanu’s opener against Cristian, ranked No. 41, was a test of resilience on the outdoor hard courts of Olympic Park Tennis Center. Delayed by heavy rain on September 16, the match began under overcast skies, with Raducanu breaking early to lead 3-1 in the first set. She closed it out 6-3 after a tense hold at 5-3, but the effort took its toll—Raducanu was seen fighting back tears as she sat during the changeover, her shoulders shaking. “I was struggling a bit,” she later admitted.
Cristian leveled the match by taking the second set 6-4, breaking Raducanu twice and forcing errors with her baseline consistency. In the decider, Raducanu regained composure, breaking at 2-2 and holding serve to win 6-3, sealing it with a forehand winner on match point. Her 67% first-serve rate and 28 winners showcased her redirection game, but unforced errors (32) highlighted the pressure. “Jaqueline is a really tough opponent with great recent results,” Raducanu said in her on-court interview. “Tough conditions, very slow, long rallies—happy to get through.”
The tears, which surfaced after netting a forehand at 3-3 in the first set and facing break points, drew immediate concern from commentators. Sky Sports’ Annabel Croft noted, “Emma’s emotional—something’s weighing on her.” WTA footage captured the moment: Raducanu dabbing her eyes, her face flushed amid the humidity.
Speaking Out: “It Hasn’t Been Easy”
In her first comments after the match, Raducanu opened up about the emotional display during a WTA TV interview. “It hasn’t been easy,” she said, her voice steady but eyes still glistening. “The conditions were really tough—rain delays, slow courts, long points. I just had to dig deep.” When pressed on the tears, Raducanu alluded to broader pressures: “There’s a lot going on, but I’m focusing on the tennis. Wins like this mean everything right now.” She praised Cristian: “She played great—I’m glad I got over the line.”
Raducanu’s words hint at the toll of her recent Billie Jean King Cup withdrawal, announced on September 5, which prioritized the Korea Open for ranking points (280 for the winner) and time with new coach Francisco Roig. The decision drew backlash for “snubbing Team GB,” with captain Anne Keothavong calling it “disappointing” and fans labeling her “selfish.” Replacement Harriet Dart termed it a “huge blow.” Raducanu’s Instagram post from Barcelona training—”Everything happens for a reason”—broke her silence, but the on-court tears suggest the criticism lingers.
Former coach Mark Petchey defended her pre-tournament: “The schedule makes zero sense—prioritizing health is smart.” However, the emotional win has fueled speculation that the snub’s fallout, combined with 2025’s grind (32 wins, Washington semifinal, three major third rounds), contributed to her breakdown.
The Bigger Picture: Pressure and Resilience
Raducanu’s tears evoke past moments, like her 2025 Dubai Open distress from a stalker, where she hid behind the umpire’s chair. “She’s under immense pressure as Britain’s hope,” Marion Bartoli said on Eurosport. Her 2025 resurgence—climbing from No. 60 to No. 33—shows progress under Roig (Nadal’s ex-coach), but consistency eludes her post-injuries.
Fans on X were empathetic: “Emma’s tears broke my heart—the BJK backlash is too much” (@RaducanuNews). Others linked it to scrutiny: “Cut her slack; she’s human amid the hate” (@TheTennisLetter). Petchey urged focus: “Top 30, consistency, serve—ignore the noise.”
Next Steps: Krejcikova Awaits
Raducanu’s emotional victory sets up a second-round clash with Krejcikova (No. 39) on September 18, with Swiatek (No. 1) in her quarter. A deep run could silence critics and boost her ranking for the China Open (September 24-30). “I’m motivated,” Raducanu said. Her tears, while concerning, underscore her passion—proof that even champions feel the weight. As she battles on, Raducanu’s resilience shines through the storm.
