Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and World No. 38, broke down in tears after a hard-fought comeback victory against American Ann Li in the first round of the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open on June 24, 2025, winning 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1. The emotional display, reported by *The Guardian* and *BBC Sport*, stemmed from “really bad news” Raducanu received before the match, which she chose to keep private, saying, “I’d prefer to not go into it, if that’s OK,” during her on-court interview. The win, a crucial step in her Wimbledon preparations starting June 30, 2025, showcased her resilience despite ongoing back spasms and challenging conditions.
Raducanu, trailing by a set and a break, battled blustery winds and a physical setback—a slip in the first set requiring a leg stretch—before rallying to win 10 of the final 12 games in two hours and 18 minutes. “I wasn’t really present mentally in the first set,” she told *BBC Sport*, crediting the crowd and her team, including coach Mark Petchey and Billie Jean King Cup teammate Fran Jones, for their support. “Fran was there for me because she knows what’s going on behind the scenes,” Raducanu added, per *The Mirror*. Her backhand winner to seal the match prompted an emotional release, as she dropped her racket and covered her eyes, struggling to hold back tears.
The British No. 1, who withdrew from the Berlin Open due to persistent back issues that flared up in Strasbourg and required a medical timeout at Queen’s Club, emphasized the physical toll. “It was a physically demanding match,” she told *The Express*, noting the windy conditions and long rallies. Despite the loss to Maya Joint in the second round (4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4)) on June 25, Raducanu remains optimistic about Wimbledon, where she’s a wildcard with fourth-round finishes in 2021 and 2024. Her emotional Eastbourne performance, backed by a supportive crowd, highlighted her grit amid personal and physical challenges.
Fans on X, like @Yoyasanhut, praised her resilience, noting, “It is great to see Emma showing this kind of emotion… especially in front of the home crowd.” Raducanu’s focus now shifts to managing her back injury with treatments like acupuncture and muscle stimulation, aiming to surpass her Wimbledon best and navigate the mental weight of her undisclosed personal news.
