Emma Raducanu Retires from Wuhan Open After Medical Check in Concerning Scenes
Emma Raducanu was forced to retire from her first-round match at the 2025 Wuhan Open on October 7, trailing 6-1, 4-1 against American Ann Li, after worrying scenes that saw her checked by a doctor for illness amid intense heat and humidity. The British No. 1, ranked No. 30, appeared visibly unwell during the 55-minute match, requiring a medical timeout for blood pressure and vitals checks before shaking hands with Li and withdrawing. This abrupt exit, Raducanu’s first retirement since 2023, adds to a challenging end to her 2025 season, already marked by mental and competitive struggles.
The Match: Struggles and Medical Intervention
Raducanu, making her Wuhan debut, faced Li (No. 46), whom she had defeated 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1 at Eastbourne in June. However, she struggled from the outset in the 35°C heat and 60%+ humidity at the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre, losing the first set 6-1 as Li fired four aces and capitalized on Raducanu’s four double faults. Early in the second set, Raducanu broke Li but quickly lost momentum, appearing dazed and bending over between points.
After falling behind 4-1, Raducanu signaled distress, prompting a medical timeout. A doctor assessed her blood pressure and vitals on court, but she was unable to continue, retiring after a brief consultation and visibly emotional handshake with Li. Li, advancing to face Ekaterina Alexandrova, expressed concern: “It’s tough to see Emma like that. Wishing her a speedy recovery.”
Context: A Season of Setbacks
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a mix of progress and frustration, with 28 wins and a career-high No. 30 ranking but persistent struggles against top-10 opponents (0-9 on hard courts since March). Recent losses in the Korea Open final (two match points squandered vs. Barbora Krejcikova) and China Open third round (three vs. Jessica Pegula) exposed mental vulnerabilities, which she described as “something that’s never happened” before. Her Wuhan appearance, alongside her mother Renee Zhai at the players’ party, carried personal significance due to her Chinese heritage, making the retirement particularly disappointing.
The extreme conditions in Wuhan, mirroring heat-related issues at the ATP’s Shanghai Masters, likely exacerbated her illness, with commentators noting her lethargy from the first game. Despite improvements under coach Francisco Roig, particularly in serve stability, this retirement raises concerns about her physical resilience heading into the WTA Finals in Riyadh (November 2-9).
Reactions: Fan Concern and Analyst Warnings
Fans on X, under #RaducanuRetires, expressed alarm: “Emma looked so unwell—hope she’s okay!” Sky Sports’ Annabel Croft highlighted the conditions: “The heat was brutal, and Emma was clearly struggling physically.” Analysts warned that recurring health issues could jeopardize her WTA Finals hopes, with Tim Henman noting: “She needs to prioritize recovery to finish the season strong.”
Raducanu’s team has not detailed her condition or next steps, but with the Asian swing now cut short, her focus shifts to regaining health for Riyadh, where she aims to compete against top seeds like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek. At 22, the 2021 US Open champion faces a critical moment to overcome these physical and mental hurdles.
