Emma Raducanu made an “extremely difficult” admission following her Canadian Open victory, highlighting the emotional challenge of facing a close friend on the court. On July 28, 2025, the British star secured a 6-2, 6-4 win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the round of 128 at Montreal, marking a strong start to her North American hard-court campaign. In her on-court interview, Raducanu reflected on the match, saying, “It is extremely difficult [playing someone you know so well]. We spent a lot of time together off court, practices, and she’s a great girl, so it’s not nice when you have to see her name in the draw, but I’m really pleased with how I performed myself.” This candid admission underscores the personal tension of competing against Ruse, a friend with whom she shares a history, including a 2021 exhibition at London’s Royal Albert Hall and regular practice sessions.
The victory, achieved in 1 hour and 18 minutes, showcased Raducanu’s resilience, with six aces and a decisive break at 4-4 in the second set to seal the match. Her performance builds on a recent resurgence, with four wins in her last five matches following a semifinal run in Washington. The admission also reflects her ability to compartmentalize their friendship, a skill she’ll need as she faces Peyton Stearns in the second round. At 01:08 PM WAT on July 29, 2025, this moment highlights Raducanu’s growing maturity, balancing personal relationships with professional demands as she prepares for the US Open.
