Emma Raducanu amused by her own “relationship” admission after kicking off Strasbourg campaign with a bang
**Emma Raducanu Amused by “Relationship” Admission After Strasbourg Win**
Emma Raducanu kicked off her 2025 WTA Strasbourg Open campaign with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 6 seed Daria Kasatkina on May 19, marking her first win over the Russian after three previous losses. In her post-match press conference, Raducanu sparked laughter with a playful comment about her evolving “relationship” with clay, saying, “I’m building my relationship with the surface. It’s not love yet, but we’re getting there!” as reported by Sportskeeda. The quip, which amused Raducanu herself, reflected her growing comfort on clay, a surface she once called “complicated,” per express.co.uk.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-emma-raducanu-amused-relationship-admission-kicking-strasbourg-campaign-bang)[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2053435/Emma-Raducanu-Mark-Petchey-Italian-Open-complicated-relationship)
The British No. 2, ranked No. 48, showcased an aggressive style, firing 22 winners and breaking Kasatkina’s serve four times, per ground.news. She later told the WTA, “As I spend more time on clay, I’m starting to like it more and more,” a sentiment echoed on X by @Uzochuwu1, who shared her pride in maintaining a high level. Raducanu’s lighthearted admission contrasted with her fierce performance, which included a pivotal break in the second set to secure the upset, per tntsports.co.uk.
Her Strasbourg success, a key Roland Garros tune-up, builds on a solid clay season, including a fourth-round Italian Open run where she defeated Iga Swiatek. Fans on X, like @DExpress_Sport, celebrated her “front-foot” approach, while @haswany_yves noted her improved clay movement. Raducanu’s amusement at her “relationship” comment, paired with her rejection of a journalist’s question about her aggressive play being new—“I’ve always had an aggressive game,” per mirror.co.uk—underscores her confidence.
Raducanu now faces Danielle Collins in the second round, per Sportskeeda, aiming to further her clay courtship and bolster her Wimbledon ambitions with coach Mark Petchey.
