Raducanu faces challenges after United Cup defeat
Emma Raducanu has acknowledged that circumstances are “very difficult right now” following her United Cup defeat to Maria Sakkari, though the British number one drew encouragement from her display amid ongoing fitness concerns, reports BritPanorama.
The world No 29 fell to the Greek player 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, marking Sakkari’s first victory against Raducanu in five encounters. Despite the defeat, the former US Open champion expressed satisfaction with her ability to push the match to a deciding set under such difficult circumstances.
Raducanu’s participation was uncertain after she withdrew from a scheduled encounter with Naomi Osaka on Sunday due to bruising on her right foot. “To produce that level just by the circumstances, I have to be proud of even if it’s very difficult right now,” she said after the match.
The 2025 season ended prematurely for Raducanu due to a combination of illness and injury, with her last competitive outing coming in Ningbo approximately three months ago. Her preparation for the new campaign has been uneven, as the 23-year-old only resumed hitting practice a fortnight before the Sakkari clash.
Despite having managed just five or six practice games prior to the match, Raducanu noted the mental challenge of returning to competitive action after an extended absence, admitting that she initially felt out of place during the opening set. “Initially you feel a little bit alien on the court, in the first set, just playing points again,” she remarked.
Great Britain’s tournament concluded following a 2-1 defeat to Greece in the overall tie, resulting in their elimination from the United Cup. Raducanu stated the need to focus on recovery and continued work ahead of her upcoming commitments, which will include the Hobart International starting on 12 January 2026, providing her with crucial match practice before the season’s first Grand Slam.
The Australian Open is set to begin on January 18 at Melbourne Park, with Raducanu hoping her fitness issues are resolved and her court time sufficiently increased as she seeks to achieve further Grand Slam success.
In many ways, Raducanu’s journey serves as a reminder of the resilience required in elite sport, especially when the road is far from smooth. How she navigates this challenging phase could define the next chapter of her career.
