Emma Raducanu reflects on Transylvania Open final defeat
Emma Raducanu has admitted she’ll be taking the positives from her recent run at the Transylvania Open final, despite being crushed by Sorana Cirstea, reports BritPanorama. Cirstea secured a decisive victory with a score of 6-0, 6-2 in Cluj, aided by the fervent support of the local Romanian crowd.
Raducanu, 23, appeared a mere shadow of her usual self on the court, lacking energy after a demanding semi-final less than 24 hours earlier. Speaking to Sky Sports, she expressed her satisfaction with reaching the final and her performances throughout the week, despite the disappointing outcome.
“I’m really happy to have made progress this week and made the final,” she stated. “It means a lot to me. It’s sad that today couldn’t go a bit better, but I think Sorana played incredibly from start to finish, and my energy was pretty low after my battle yesterday.”
Following an underwhelming Australian Open campaign that saw her exit in the second round to Anastasia Potapova, Raducanu’s run to the Transylvania Open final marked a significant comeback. She acknowledged the challenge presented by Cirstea: “I didn’t really have much energy, and it was really difficult. Sorana played so well – I had no chance if I wasn’t 100 percent, and even if I was 100 percent, she was still playing incredible tennis. So all credit to her, she really deserves this one.”
This final was Raducanu’s first since her sensational victory over Leylah Fernandez in 2021. Following her early exit from the Australian Open, Raducanu and her coach Francisco Roig parted ways after just six months. Currently, LTA coach Alexis Canter is assisting the young star, and she shared her optimism regarding this partnership.
Raducanu noted, “He’s been helping me, hitting with me, and he’s been around me through various different stages, very different game styles, and trying to just bring me back to myself – my game identity – playing in the way I want to.” She added that her recent performances represent positive steps towards regaining her form but acknowledged the ongoing journey ahead.
As for her immediate future, Raducanu remains uncertain about participating in the Qatar Open in Doha next week, although she is scheduled to face Camila Osorio in the first round.
Ultimately, Raducanu’s experience in Cluj serves as a reminder of the ups and downs in competitive sport, where triumphs are often interspersed with tough lessons on the way back to form.
