Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British No. 1 and former US Open champion, has ignited concern among fans and analysts ahead of her China Open debut after cutting short a practice session in Beijing and confiding to supporters that she’s “not feeling well.” The revelation—shared via a viral video from on-site observers—comes just days before the WTA 1000 event kicks off on September 24, where Raducanu, seeded 30th, holds a bye into the second round. With a history of injury setbacks derailing her 2025 campaign, the timing couldn’t be worse as she eyes a strong Asian swing to cap a resurgent season that saw her climb to World No. 32.
The Practice Session: Visible Discomfort and an Early Exit
Raducanu hit the courts at the National Tennis Center on Sunday, September 21, for a routine hit-out ahead of her first-round bye. But what should have been a standard warm-up turned heads when the Brit abruptly halted proceedings after just 20 minutes, far short of her usual 45-60 minute sessions. Eyewitness accounts, captured in a 13-second clip shared by tennis insider @MavisTennis on X, show Raducanu pausing mid-rally, clutching her right side, and appearing visibly strained. She was seen bending over, adjusting her midsection, and exchanging words with her coach, Spaniard Francisco Roig, before packing up.
As she exited the court, Raducanu paused to interact with a small group of fans, where she reportedly admitted: “I’m not feeling well,” before signing autographs and heading off. The moment, which has garnered over 32,000 views on X, prompted immediate speculation about a flare-up—possibly related to her lower back or abdominal issues that plagued her earlier in the year. “She looked off—pained, not just tired,” one fan tweeted, echoing a chorus of worry: “Emma, take care—don’t push it before Beijing.”
A Pattern of Setbacks: Raducanu’s Injury-Plagued 2025
Raducanu’s admission hits hard given her turbulent season. The 2021 US Open winner started 2025 strong, reaching the Australian Open third round (her best AO result) and notching career-high wins over Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova. But persistent niggles—a back spasm in Auckland, ankle tweak at Indian Wells—limited her to just 27-19 overall, including a third-round US Open exit to Naomi Osaka and a heartbreaking Korea Open last-16 loss to Barbora Krejcikova (failing to convert three match points).
Her decision to skip Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in April—to focus on hard-court prep with Roig—drew criticism but yielded dividends, like a Guadalajara quarterfinal. Now, with no points to defend in Beijing (her debut there), a deep run could propel her into the WTA Finals conversation. But the side-clutching evokes her 2023 surgery layoff, when she missed eight months after wrist, ankle, and back procedures.
Raducanu’s camp has yet to comment officially, but insiders suggest it’s “minor discomfort” from travel fatigue or a muscle tweak—not a full-blown injury. Still, her history (including a 2024 foot sprain that sidelined her from Hong Kong) amplifies the alarm bells.
Fan and Expert Reaction: “Take It Easy, Emma”
Social media lit up post-video, with #ProtectEmma trending briefly. Fans praised her candor but urged caution: “She’s tough, but rest up—Asia’s a grind,” one wrote. Andy Roddick, on his podcast, echoed: “Emma’s got that fire, but smart players listen to their bodies. Hope it’s nothing.” WTA analyst Rennae Stubbs added: “Side issues can snowball—fingers crossed for Beijing.”
Raducanu’s draw doesn’t help: A potential second-rounder vs. Donna Vekic (Wimbledon semis), third-round clash with Jessica Pegula (No. 7), and quarterfinal vs. Naomi Osaka or Iga Swiatek (No. 1). She’s also entered Ningbo (WTA 500) and Pan Pacific Open (WTA 500), aiming for seeded status at the 2026 Australian Open.
What’s Next: Monitoring Her Beijing Opener
Raducanu’s China Open match—likely vs. a qualifier or Vekic—is slated for September 26 or 27, with live coverage on Sky Sports (UK) or Tennis Channel (US). If she sits out, it echoes her 2024 withdrawals, but her recent form (27-19, No. 32 peak) shows resilience. As she posted on Instagram pre-Beijing: “Grateful for the journey—pushing forward.” Fans hope that “not feeling well” is a blip, not a barrier.
In a sport where youth meets wear-and-tear, Raducanu’s candor with fans—much like her post-US Open reflections on therapy and stalking ordeals—endears her further. Get well soon, Emma—the oche awaits your fire.
