Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis star and 2021 US Open champion, broke down in tears during her first-round victory at the 2025 Korea Open in Seoul on September 17, defeating Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in a rain-delayed match that lasted two hours and 15 minutes. The emotional display, with Raducanu visibly wiping tears during changeovers, came amid intense scrutiny over her decision to withdraw from Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals squad in Shenzhen (September 16-21) to prioritize the WTA 500 event. The tears, captured on broadcast, sparked widespread speculation about the pressures she faced—potentially tied to the backlash over her “selfish” snub of Team GB, the physical and mental toll of her comeback, and the weight of expectations as Britain’s No. 1.
The Match: A Gritty Win Under Pressure
Raducanu’s match against Cristian, ranked No. 82, was a rollercoaster. Played on the outdoor hard courts of Seoul’s Olympic Park Tennis Center, Raducanu trailed 1-3 in the first set but rallied to win 6-4, saving three set points. Cristian fought back to take the second 6-4, capitalizing on Raducanu’s errors. In the decider, Raducanu broke early at 2-1 and held firm, sealing the win with a forehand winner for her 32nd victory of 2025. She advances to face US Open quarterfinalist Barbora Krejcikova, with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek looming in her quarter.
During changeovers, particularly after losing the second set, Raducanu was seen dabbing her eyes with a towel, her shoulders shaking as she fought back tears. Sky Sports commentators noted, “Emma’s emotional—something’s getting to her, maybe the pressure or the recent criticism.” Post-match, Raducanu offered little insight, saying, “It was a tough match. I’m just happy to get through,” before quickly leaving for recovery. Her reticence fueled speculation that the Billie Jean King Cup controversy played a role.
The Team GB Snub: A Firestorm of Criticism
Raducanu’s decision to skip the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, where Britain faced Japan in the quarterfinals on September 18, drew fierce backlash. Announced on September 5, her withdrawal—her second in 2025 after skipping April qualifiers—prioritized the Korea Open to defend ranking points and build with new coach Francisco Roig (Rafael Nadal’s former coach). The choice was strategic: the WTA 500 event offers 280 points for the winner, crucial for her No. 34 ranking to climb toward a top-32 seed for the 2026 Australian Open, while the BJK Cup provides no points and limited prize money ($120,000 for winners).
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) expressed disappointment, with captain Anne Keothavong stating, “Of course we are disappointed” (*BBC Sport*). Replacement Harriet Dart called it a “huge blow” but vowed team unity (*Tennis365*). Fans on X were harsher, labeling Raducanu “selfish” and “disloyal”: “Emma chasing appearance fees over Team GB? Disgraceful” (@TennisFanatic22). *GB News* called her “delusional,” and *The Daily Mail* noted “considerable anger” within the LTA over her late notice on September 4. The criticism, amplified by Raducanu’s Chinese heritage potentially boosting viewership in Shenzhen, likely added emotional weight.
Why the Tears? Potential Triggers
While Raducanu didn’t explicitly address her tears, several factors likely contributed:
1. Backlash from the BJK Cup Snub: The intense criticism, with fans and media branding her decision as prioritizing “big appearance fees” (potentially $100,000+ in Asia) over national duty, may have taken a toll. Raducanu broke her silence on Instagram, posting from Barcelona training: “Everything happens for a reason,” suggesting defiance but also vulnerability. The weight of letting down teammates like Boulter and Dart, combined with public scrutiny, could have surfaced during the match’s pressure.
2. Physical and Mental Fatigue: Raducanu’s 2025 has been a grind—32 wins, a Washington semifinal, and three major third rounds, but also early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati. Her US Open loss to Rybakina (6-1, 6-2) on August 29 exposed serve inconsistencies, and the Seoul match, delayed by rain, pushed her physically. “She’s been through so much with injuries,” former coach Mark Petchey told *Tennis365*. The emotional release may reflect exhaustion after a three-set battle.
3. Pressure of Expectations: As Britain’s only active Grand Slam champion, Raducanu carries immense pressure. Her switch to Roig, trialed post-Cincinnati, aims to refine her redirection game, but early results are critical. The tears could stem from relief at overcoming Cristian or anxiety about facing Krejcikova and Swiatek, with her ranking goals on the line.
4. Personal Reflection: Raducanu’s private nature—she rarely discusses personal struggles—suggests the tears might relate to broader pressures. Her 2023 wrist surgeries and coaching carousel (six coaches since 2021) have tested her resilience. The Seoul win, her first since the US Open, may have unleashed pent-up emotions.
Fan and Expert Reactions
Fans on X were sympathetic: “Emma’s tears broke my heart—she’s under so much pressure after the BJK snub” (@RaducanuNews). Others linked it to criticism: “The ‘selfish’ comments clearly got to her—cut her some slack” (@TheTennisLetter). Pundits like Marion Bartoli (*Eurosport*) noted, “Emma’s human—she’s carrying a nation’s expectations and a brutal schedule.” Petchey defended her: “She’s prioritizing ranking and health. The tears show how much she cares.”
Looking Ahead: Seoul and Beyond
Raducanu’s emotional win sets up a blockbuster second round against Krejcikova on September 18, with Swiatek a potential quarterfinal foe. The Korea Open, where she reached semifinals in 2022 and quarterfinals in 2024 (retiring injured), is pivotal for her top-30 goal, as Petchey outlined: ranking climb, consistency, serve improvement. With the China Open (September 24-30) next, Raducanu’s tears may reflect the cost of her choices—but also her resolve to prove critics wrong.
