Emma Raducanu’s eagerly anticipated return to the WTA Tour at the 2025 Korea Open has hit an unexpected snag, with her first-round match against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian cancelled due to heavy rain on September 16, 2025. The British No. 1, ranked world No. 34, was set to face the 28-year-old Cristian—not before 6:00 AM BST (2:00 PM local time) on the outdoor hard courts of Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul. However, persistent downpours forced organizers to suspend all play for the day, rescheduling Raducanu’s match for Wednesday, September 17, with an approximate start time of 6:00 AM BST. The delay leaves Raducanu’s rival waiting, as a win would pit her against US Open quarterfinalist Barbora Krejcikova in the second round, with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek lurking in the same quarter.
A Disruptive Start to the Asian Swing
Raducanu arrived in Seoul as the No. 8 seed, accepting a wildcard to kick off her Asian swing after a third-round exit at the US Open to Elena Rybakina (6-1, 6-2) on August 29. The Korea Open, a WTA 500 event with a $924,865 prize fund, marks her first tournament since partnering with Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s former coach, on a trial basis post-Cincinnati. With 280 ranking points on offer for the champion, Raducanu views Seoul as a key opportunity to climb toward the top 32 for the 2026 Australian Open seeding, especially after defending just 60 points from her 2024 quarterfinal run (where she retired injured against Daria Kasatkina).
The rain cancellation is a blow, as forecasts predict more wet weather through Wednesday. “Play suspended due to rain—resuming tomorrow,” the tournament’s official X account posted, confirming no matches would be played on Tuesday. Raducanu, who has a strong history in Seoul (semifinals in 2022, quarterfinals in 2024 before injury), was prepared to start her campaign fresh. Cristian, ranked No. 82 and on a three-match win streak from qualifying, awaits the rescheduled clash. A victory for Raducanu would set up a blockbuster second-rounder with Krejcikova, the 2024 Wimbledon finalist, who advanced 6-1, 6-2 over qualifier Tatiana Prozorova before the rain hit.
Raducanu’s Priorities and Recent Form
The delay comes amid ongoing scrutiny over Raducanu’s decision to skip the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for Great Britain in Shenzhen, prioritizing the Korea Open for ranking points and time with Roig. Her former coach Mark Petchey defended the choice, calling it “the right call” given the calendar’s demands. Raducanu’s 2025 has been a mixed bag: a Citi Open semifinal in Washington (her best result), third rounds at three majors, and 32 wins overall, but early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati. The US Open showed flashes—straight-set wins over Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen—before Rybakina’s power overwhelmed her.
Roig’s influence, focusing on Raducanu’s redirection style against big hitters, could shine in Seoul’s conditions. “I’m motivated after New York,” Raducanu said upon arrival, emphasizing her hard-court affinity. With no points to defend post-Seoul, a deep run could boost her ranking significantly.
Tournament Impact and What’s Next
The rain has disrupted the entire draw, with No. 1 seed Daria Kasatkina’s opener against Anastasia Zakharova postponed, and Beatriz Haddad Maia vs. Dayeon Back delayed. Krejcikova, who wrapped her match before the downpour, now waits for the Raducanu-Cristian winner. Swiatek, in Raducanu’s quarter, faces qualifier Moyuka Uchijima, adding pressure for the Brit to advance.
Wednesday’s schedule resumes with Raducanu vs. Cristian as the second match on Centre Court, not before 6:00 AM BST. More rain is forecast, but organizers aim for completion by Sunday’s final. Raducanu’s preparation includes light practice, but the delay allows extra recovery—vital after her US Open exertions.
As Raducanu eyes the China Open next (September 24-30), this postponed opener is a test of patience. A strong performance in Seoul could silence critics from her BJK Cup snub and propel her toward a top-20 return by year-end. For now, the Brit and her Romanian rival wait, with the Seoul spotlight on hold.
