Emma Raducanu fought back tears during her first-round victory over Jaqueline Cristian at the Korea Open, just days after withdrawing from Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup squad. The British No. 1 appeared visibly emotional midway through the first set, wiping her eyes and showing signs of distress during long rallies and tough conditions.
A difficult decision and a disrupted build-up
Raducanu’s choice to skip the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen drew criticism from Team GB captain Anne Keothavong, who called her absence disappointing. The 22-year-old opted to compete in Seoul to gain crucial ranking points ahead of the Australian Open, citing her recent partnership with coach Francisco Roig as a key factor in her decision.
Relief and resilience on court
Despite the emotional strain and a rain-delayed match, Raducanu managed to secure a straight-sets win, 6-3, 6-4. “I’m super happy to have won today. It hasn’t been easy,” she said afterward. “I feel like I’ve played this match the last three days. To have pulled through after waiting, I’m super pleased with how I came through.”
Looking ahead to tougher challenges
Raducanu now faces former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round, with a potential third-round clash against either Sorana Cirstea or Iga Swiatek. Her performance in Seoul is part of a broader push to regain form and secure a seeded spot for the 2026 Australian Open.
The tears in Seoul reflected more than just match pressure—they marked a moment of transition, ambition, and emotional complexity for a player navigating both personal and professional crossroads.
Raducanu in Seoul, ranking, and results in 2025
At the moment ranked no.33, Raducanu has a 27-18 record in 2025. The Brit is participating in Seoul where she managed to beat the world no.41 Jaqueline Cristian 6-3 6-4.
Emma Raducanu will face the world no.39 Barbora Krejcikova in the 2nd round on Thursday at 7:30 pm on CENTRE COURT. In the past, they have never competed against each other as of now in top tournaments.