Emma Raducanu cried on court in the early stages of her clash with Karolina Muchova in Dubai.
The 2021 US Open champion faced her Czech opponent in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championship on Tuesday.
Sky Sports TennisRaducanu wiped away tears during her clash with Muchova[/caption]
Sky Sports TennisThe Brit was visibly emotional after losing the opening two games[/caption]
Raducanu set up the clash by beating Maria Sakkari in straight sets on Sunday.
That victory ended the Brit’s worst losing run of her career after four consecutive defeats.
However, she was broken early on against 14th seed Muchova as she lost each of the opening two games.
Before the start of the next game, Raducanu appeared visibly emotional as she stood courtside.
The 22-year-old wiped away tears with her towel before gesturing to the umpire that she would be able to continue.
Her emotions were acknowledged by the Sky Sports commentators, with one stating: “You never want to see a player in tears on court. This is meant to be a fun game.”
Raducanu was able to continue, though, with the crowd cheering and applauding her as she made her way to the baseline.
She even staged a comeback, breaking back as Muchova served for the opening set to take the set to a tie break.
However, the pendulum swung back in Muchova’s favour as she won the tie break 8-6.
Raducanu’s match came after Sunday’s victory over Sakkari, the Brit’s first win since the second round of the Australian Open in January.
Sky Sports TennisRaducanu rallied back to force an opening set tie break[/caption]
Speaking after ending her drought, she explained: “I just tried to stay really focused on the point in front of me.
“There were some momentum shifts throughout the match and when I got broken twice early in the sets I just regrouped really well and I managed to break back [immediately] both times.
“I was really pleased with how I fought and competed against Maria, she’s a top player, been as high as three in the world. I’m just really proud of my performance.”
Raducanu had been handed a wildcard to appear at the event, which is being held at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in the United Arab Emirates.
It is her latest tournament in what is shaping up to be a busy 2025 for Raducanu.
She will join British no.1 Katie Boulter in an historic women’s event at Queen’s Club in June.
The tournament will be the first women’s competition to be held at the venue since 1973.
Fellow Grand Slam champions Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka are also expected to appear.
