Ann Li Expresses Concern for Emma Raducanu After Brit’s Dizziness-Forced Retirement at Wuhan Open
American tennis player Ann Li has spoken out with sympathy and well-wishes for Emma Raducanu following the British star’s concerning retirement from their first-round match at the 2025 Wuhan Open on October 7. Li, who advanced to the second round after Raducanu withdrew while trailing 6-1, 4-1 in the second set, described the moment as tough to witness, saying she hopes her opponent recovers quickly.
The Match and Retirement: A Sudden End
Raducanu, the world No. 30 making her Wuhan debut, struggled from the outset against Li (No. 46) in the sweltering 35°C heat and high humidity at the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre. Li dominated the first set 6-1, winning six straight games after Raducanu’s early break, with the Brit committing four double faults and appearing fatigued. In the second set, Raducanu briefly broke back but trailed 4-1 when she signaled distress, bending over and looking dizzy.
A medical timeout ensued, with the trainer checking Raducanu’s blood pressure, temperature, and other vitals. Despite the attention, she was unable to continue and retired, marking her first withdrawal since 2023. Li advances to face ninth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round.
Li’s Reaction: Sympathy and Well-Wishes
Ann Li, who had previously lost to Raducanu at Eastbourne in June, expressed genuine concern and sportsmanship after the match. “It’s tough to see Emma like that. Wishing her a speedy recovery,” Li said in her on-court interview, acknowledging the difficult circumstances. She praised her own performance, noting she “stayed pretty solid” throughout, but emphasized empathy for Raducanu’s visible distress. Li’s comments resonated with fans, who commended her class amid the unusual end to the encounter.
Broader Context: Raducanu’s Tough Season
Raducanu’s retirement compounds a frustrating close to her 2025 season, which included 28 wins and a career-high No. 30 ranking but also persistent issues against top-10 opponents (0-9 on hard courts since March). Recent losses featured squandered match points: two in the Korea Open final against Barbora Krejcikova and three in the China Open third round versus Jessica Pegula, which she called “something that’s never happened” before. The Wuhan conditions, similar to heat-related struggles at the ATP’s Shanghai Masters, likely played a role, with analysts noting her lethargy from the first game.
Under coach Francisco Roig, Raducanu has focused on serve stability and fitness, but this marks her first retirement since 2023, raising questions about her readiness for the WTA Finals in Riyadh (November 2-9).
Fan and Analyst Reactions
Social media under #RaducanuRetires showed concern: “Emma looked so unwell—hope she’s okay!” Sky Sports’ Annabel Croft attributed it to the “brutal” heat: “She was struggling physically from the start.” Tim Henman warned of the impact on her Finals hopes: “She needs to prioritize recovery.” Raducanu’s team has not provided further updates, but with the Asian swing ending abruptly, her focus turns to regaining health for Riyadh against elites like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek. At 22, the 2021 US Open champion must overcome these hurdles to build on her promising season.
