When Emma Raducanu retired during her first-round match at the Wuhan Open against Ann Li, the scene was alarming. The 22-year-old Briton, clearly battling more than her opponent, requested medical attention midmatch.
The former US Open champion, after being checked on court, eventually walked off the stadium in visible distress.
Emotional exchange between Djokovic and Vacherot wins fans’ hearts
In the days since, Raducanu has broken her silence, sharing a brief but telling message with fans about her condition and recovery.
Raducanu’s difficulty in Wuhan began early. She posted a screenshot on social media of her practice session, indicating she was struggling under humid conditions-34°C that “feels like 37°C.”
The oppressive heat and moisture left many players fighting just to stand, let alone compete. Against Li, Raducanu looked increasingly fatigued. After dropping the first set decisively, she called a medical timeout while trailing 4-1 in the second.
On court, her blood pressure was checked, and in distressing fashion she slumped in her chair, a stark reminder of how severe the conditions had become. Moments later, she shook hands with Li and the umpire, ending the match.
This was not just a tough loss-it was a health alert. Temperatures and humidity at the Wuhan Open forced suspensions of play on outdoor courts, and Raducanu’s withdrawal added her to the growing list of players impacted by extreme conditions in Asia this fall.
A measured comeback in message
Days after the incident, Raducanu updated followers via Threads: “Last day at the doctor’s in Wuhan … feeling better now. Shame I couldn’t continue there but thank you for the messages.”
She accompanied the statement with a photograph-sitting in what appeared to be a doctor’s office, wrapped in a hoodie and wearing sunglasses.
The message was brief, but meaningful. Raducanu acknowledged her inability to fight through the match, yet reassured fans she is on the mend. The tone was one of humility and gratitude, a recognition that sometimes physical limits demand respect.
Still, the withdrawal further stains what has already been a challenging Asian swing for Raducanu.
Earlier, she chose to compete in the Korea Open rather than joining Team Britain for the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen-a decision that took many by surprise, including captain Anne Keothavong.
She did so to defend ranking points and continue building synergy with her new coach, Francisco Roig. But her stay in Wuhan ended abruptly.
When will Emma Raducanu play next?
Now questions swirl around her upcoming schedule. Her next entries include the Ningbo Open, where her participation has been thrown into doubt, and possibly the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. With this health scare fresh, the path forward must now balance ambition against recovery.
In the broader tennis world, Raducanu’s match retirement is not isolated. Players like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have also visibly struggled in recent tournaments under brutal heat and humidity.
Calls are rising for stronger heat policies, better scheduling, and more proactive protections for athletes.
For Raducanu, the return to competitive shape will be cautious. Her declaration that she is feeling better is hopeful-but also a reminder that elite sport isn’t just about toughness, but wisdom.
How she rebuilds from here may define more of her season than any match she could play.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Verstappen storms to US GP pole despite late mishap
Max Verstappen stormed to pole position for the United States Grand Prix from Lando Norris despite missing out on a final run in Qualifying.Verstappen was still 0.291s ahead of Norris though as he continued his charge back into title contention and will be buoyed by championship leader Oscar Piastri only qualifying sixth. Neither McLaren driver looked fully comfortable after the team were forced to make repairs to both cars after they collided with each other in a multi-car incident in the Sprint earlier on Saturday. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collide on the first corner after dramatic multi-car contact which forces both McLarens to retire at the US Grand Prix Sprint race! Verstappen won the Sprint and is on course for a perfect weekend with a great opportunity to make […]
Verstappenova dominance v Austinu pokračuje. Po sprintu ovládl i kvalifikaci na Velkou cenu USA
Verstappen nestihl nájezd do finálního rychlého kola. Svůj nejrychlejší čas zajel při prvním pokusu v závěrečné fázi kvalifikace, po přezutí na čerstvé gumy se ale zdržel v boxech a o sekundy nestihl projet cílem před vypršením času. Líto mu to ale být nemusí, protože i tak jeho čas stačil na zisk pole position.„Je tady dost horko a chvílemi fouká silný vítr, ale i přes to se mi podařilo poskládat rychlé kolo. Bohužel jsem nestihl zajet poslední měřený pokus, ale nakonec to nevadilo a jsem šťastný za tento silný výsledek,“ radoval se po kvalifikaci Verstappen.Oproti sprintové kvalifikaci se lépe dařilo pilotům Ferrari. Charles Leclerc zajel třetí nejrychlejší čas a jeho týmový kolega Lewis Hamilton skončil pátý. Naopak zklamáním je výkon Piastriho. Lídr šampionátu z McLarenu sprint nedokončil po kolizi s Alonsem, Hülkenbergem a především týmovým kolegou Norrisem a v kvalifikaci skončil až šestý.„Zlepšil jsem se oproti včerejšku asi o půl desetiny, celkově jsme se […]
Did Shohei Ohtani just post the greatest game in MLB history?
There has never been an MLB player like Shohei Ohtani, and he just authored his masterpiece — "The Ohtani Game" — on Friday in Game 4 of the NLCS.Facing a Milwaukee Brewers team that held the best record in MLB during the regular season, Ohtani posted three mammoth homers in a 3-for-3 night at the plate and struck out 10 in six-plus scoreless innings on the mound, almost single-handedly pushing the Dodgers to a 5-1 win that ended a series sweep.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]He had the three hardest-hit balls of the game, and the 11 hardest-thrown pitches. He had the Dodger Stadium fans screaming. He had his teammates ranging from stunned silence to hilarious guffawing. He had his manager plotting to "ruin baseball." He had media scrambling to figure out what you even […]
Full Stop, End of Discussion: Shohei Ohtani Is the Best to Ever Do It
"The reason why I'm a two-way player is because that's who I am, and it's what I can do."That's what Shohei Ohtani said after his first postseason start in the National League Division Series. The singular superstar has put extra pressure on himself, an added burden, to brilliantly execute being that two-way player. For himself, and for the team.That drive and identity delivered a masterclass on Friday night. It's performances like that which put Ohtani firmly in the conversation as the best baseball player ever.In the Dodgers' 5-1 win over the Brewers that clinched a sweep in the NL Championship Series, Ohtani went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs and a walk at the plate. On the mound, he threw six-plus scoreless innings, allowed two hits and three walks while striking out 10. It will go down as the best […]
Full Stop, End of Discussion: Shohei Ohtani Is the Best to Ever Do It
"The reason why I'm a two-way player is because that's who I am, and it's what I can do."That's what Shohei Ohtani said after his first postseason start in the National League Division Series. The singular superstar has put extra pressure on himself, an added burden, to brilliantly execute being that two-way player. For himself, and for the team.That drive and identity delivered a masterclass on Friday night. It's performances like that which put Ohtani firmly in the conversation as the best baseball player ever.In the Dodgers' 5-1 win over the Brewers that clinched a sweep in the NL Championship Series, Ohtani went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs and a walk at the plate. On the mound, he threw six-plus scoreless innings, allowed two hits and three walks while striking out 10. It will go down as the best […]
Silva’s Fulham release clause ‘revealed’ amid Forest interest – Paper Talk
The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...PREMIER LEAGUE Marco Silva's release clause at Fulham is believed to be £8 million as he emerges as a potential candidate for the vacant Nottingham Forest job - The Guardian.Real Madrid have identified Premier League duo Marc Guehi and Ibrahima Konate as their top defensive free agent targets, along with Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano - talkSPORT. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky Sports News' James Green provides the latest update on Marc Guehi's future after Oliver Glasner confirmed he will not sign a new contract and will depart the club next year Liverpool director of scouting and recruitment Dave Fallows has been lined up for a senior sporting leadership role at Chelsea - The Athletic. Bruno Fernandes will not be taken off penalty-taking duties despite missing two […]
Related
Verstappen storms to US GP pole despite late mishap
Max Verstappen stormed to pole position for the United States Grand Prix from Lando Norris despite missing out on a final run in Qualifying.Verstappen was still 0.291s ahead of Norris though as he continued his charge back into title contention and will be buoyed by championship leader Oscar Piastri only qualifying sixth. Neither McLaren driver looked fully comfortable after the team were forced to make repairs to both cars after they collided with each other in a multi-car incident in the Sprint earlier on Saturday. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collide on the first corner after dramatic multi-car contact which forces both McLarens to retire at the US Grand Prix Sprint race! Verstappen won the Sprint and is on course for a perfect weekend with a great opportunity to make […]
Verstappenova dominance v Austinu pokračuje. Po sprintu ovládl i kvalifikaci na Velkou cenu USA
Verstappen nestihl nájezd do finálního rychlého kola. Svůj nejrychlejší čas zajel při prvním pokusu v závěrečné fázi kvalifikace, po přezutí na čerstvé gumy se ale zdržel v boxech a o sekundy nestihl projet cílem před vypršením času. Líto mu to ale být nemusí, protože i tak jeho čas stačil na zisk pole position.„Je tady dost horko a chvílemi fouká silný vítr, ale i přes to se mi podařilo poskládat rychlé kolo. Bohužel jsem nestihl zajet poslední měřený pokus, ale nakonec to nevadilo a jsem šťastný za tento silný výsledek,“ radoval se po kvalifikaci Verstappen.Oproti sprintové kvalifikaci se lépe dařilo pilotům Ferrari. Charles Leclerc zajel třetí nejrychlejší čas a jeho týmový kolega Lewis Hamilton skončil pátý. Naopak zklamáním je výkon Piastriho. Lídr šampionátu z McLarenu sprint nedokončil po kolizi s Alonsem, Hülkenbergem a především týmovým kolegou Norrisem a v kvalifikaci skončil až šestý.„Zlepšil jsem se oproti včerejšku asi o půl desetiny, celkově jsme se […]
Did Shohei Ohtani just post the greatest game in MLB history?
There has never been an MLB player like Shohei Ohtani, and he just authored his masterpiece — "The Ohtani Game" — on Friday in Game 4 of the NLCS.Facing a Milwaukee Brewers team that held the best record in MLB during the regular season, Ohtani posted three mammoth homers in a 3-for-3 night at the plate and struck out 10 in six-plus scoreless innings on the mound, almost single-handedly pushing the Dodgers to a 5-1 win that ended a series sweep.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]He had the three hardest-hit balls of the game, and the 11 hardest-thrown pitches. He had the Dodger Stadium fans screaming. He had his teammates ranging from stunned silence to hilarious guffawing. He had his manager plotting to "ruin baseball." He had media scrambling to figure out what you even […]
Full Stop, End of Discussion: Shohei Ohtani Is the Best to Ever Do It
"The reason why I'm a two-way player is because that's who I am, and it's what I can do."That's what Shohei Ohtani said after his first postseason start in the National League Division Series. The singular superstar has put extra pressure on himself, an added burden, to brilliantly execute being that two-way player. For himself, and for the team.That drive and identity delivered a masterclass on Friday night. It's performances like that which put Ohtani firmly in the conversation as the best baseball player ever.In the Dodgers' 5-1 win over the Brewers that clinched a sweep in the NL Championship Series, Ohtani went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs and a walk at the plate. On the mound, he threw six-plus scoreless innings, allowed two hits and three walks while striking out 10. It will go down as the best […]
Full Stop, End of Discussion: Shohei Ohtani Is the Best to Ever Do It
"The reason why I'm a two-way player is because that's who I am, and it's what I can do."That's what Shohei Ohtani said after his first postseason start in the National League Division Series. The singular superstar has put extra pressure on himself, an added burden, to brilliantly execute being that two-way player. For himself, and for the team.That drive and identity delivered a masterclass on Friday night. It's performances like that which put Ohtani firmly in the conversation as the best baseball player ever.In the Dodgers' 5-1 win over the Brewers that clinched a sweep in the NL Championship Series, Ohtani went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs and a walk at the plate. On the mound, he threw six-plus scoreless innings, allowed two hits and three walks while striking out 10. It will go down as the best […]
Silva’s Fulham release clause ‘revealed’ amid Forest interest – Paper Talk
The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...PREMIER LEAGUE Marco Silva's release clause at Fulham is believed to be £8 million as he emerges as a potential candidate for the vacant Nottingham Forest job - The Guardian.Real Madrid have identified Premier League duo Marc Guehi and Ibrahima Konate as their top defensive free agent targets, along with Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano - talkSPORT. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky Sports News' James Green provides the latest update on Marc Guehi's future after Oliver Glasner confirmed he will not sign a new contract and will depart the club next year Liverpool director of scouting and recruitment Dave Fallows has been lined up for a senior sporting leadership role at Chelsea - The Athletic. Bruno Fernandes will not be taken off penalty-taking duties despite missing two […]
Be the first to leave a comment