“Wouldn’t see Emma Raducanu play” – Fans react to Amanda Anisimova playing at a WTA 125 event right after Italian Open heartbreak
Amanda Anisimova’s decision to compete at the Trophée Clarins, a WTA 125 event in Paris, immediately after a first-round defeat to Veronika Kudermetova (6-4, 6-3) at the 2025 Italian Open on May 13 sparked varied reactions from tennis fans. The American, ranked No. 16, entered the Paris tournament as the top seed, defeating Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-2, 6-4 in her opener and advancing to face Petra Martić. While some praised her resilience, others took jabs, with one fan remarking, “Wouldn’t see Emma Raducanu play a 125 after a loss like that,” igniting a debate about player mentality and scheduling, as reported by *Sportskeeda* on May 14, 2025.\
Anisimova’s choice to play a lower-tier event reflects her focus on regaining momentum after a turbulent clay season. Following her Qatar Open title in February, she faced early exits in Charleston (retired due to back/hip injuries against Sofia Kenin), Madrid (lost to Emiliana Arango, 6-3, 6-4), and Rome. The WTA 125, offering ranking points and clay-court practice, aligns with her French Open preparations, where she reached the 2019 semi-finals as a 17-year-old. Fans lauded her work ethic, with one X post stating, “Props to Amanda for grinding at a 125 to build confidence.” Others credited Naomi Osaka’s recent Saint-Malo WTA 125 appearance for normalizing top players competing in smaller events.
However, the comparison to Raducanu, who lost to Coco Gauff (6-1, 6-2) in Rome’s fourth round, stirred controversy. Raducanu, ranked No. 42, opted for the WTA 250 in Strasbourg as her Roland Garros tune-up, a higher-tier event fitting her top-50 status. Critics argued Anisimova’s move showed humility, with one fan saying, “Raducanu wouldn’t be caught dead at a 125—she’s too focused on her brand.” Supporters of Raducanu countered, noting her 3-1 Rome run, her best on clay, justified a bigger event. “Emma’s earned her spot at Strasbourg after Miami and Rome,” a fan posted.
The debate overlooks both players’ distinct paths. Anisimova’s 2023 mental health break and injury struggles contrast with Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph and subsequent coaching changes. Their 2-0 head-to-head, with Raducanu dominating in 2025 (Australian Open 6-3, 7-5; Miami 6-1, 6-3), fueled the fan rivalry. As Anisimova eyes a Paris title and Raducanu prepares for Strasbourg, their choices reflect strategic differences, not superiority, in navigating the WTA’s grueling calendar.
