Emma Raducanu expressed a desire to play more matches before Grand Slam events after her first-round loss to Sofia Kenin at the US Open.
Raducanu, who lost 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, was seeking her first win in New York since her surprising 2021 title run as a teenage qualifier. She had exited in the first round in 2022 and missed last year’s tournament while recovering from wrist and ankle surgery.
Between Wimbledon in July and the US Open, Raducanu participated in just one event, reaching the quarter-finals in Washington earlier this month.
The 21-year-old was visibly emotional during the press conference following her defeat and admitted to feeling “sad” and “down.” She stated that she would “learn from it” and “adjust my schedule slightly” for future Grand Slams.
Raducanu mentioned to BBC 5 Live that she wants to play more matches, though not necessarily every tournament leading up to the Grand Slams, and views this as a lesson for the next year.
Having chosen to forgo this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, Raducanu also missed the WTA 1,000 tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati leading up to the US Open.
Raducanu later acknowledged that she lacked some sharpness in her match against Kenin.
“I started a bit slowly, but I fought back well in the second and third sets, and it was close,” Raducanu commented. “I think I adjusted to the match reasonably well, but at this level, you can’t afford to start a set slowly and be down a set. When I play a lot of matches, I feel great, and everything seems automatic. I can learn from this experience and manage my schedule better.”
After a challenging 2023 marred by injuries, Raducanu returned to the tour in January and advanced to the second round of the Australian Open. She skipped the French Open to concentrate on being fit for the British grass season, a choice that proved beneficial as she made a strong run to the fourth round at Wimbledon.
“I believe I’ve made progress from where I started the year, considering I was out for seven months,” the world number 71 said. “To climb back into the top 100 after a month of training in December following three surgeries is a significant achievement.”
Kenin emerged victorious in a ‘rollercoaster’ match against Raducanu. Despite fending off two break points in the first game, Raducanu’s serve was under constant pressure from Kenin, who won five consecutive games to claim the first set.
Raducanu responded with an early break in the second set, hitting a series of powerful forehands, but Kenin quickly equalized. As Raducanu gained momentum, Kenin’s frustration showed, leading to an outburst just before Raducanu broke for a 3-2 lead.
Raducanu broke again at 5-3 to force a third set and started confidently, while Kenin’s unforced errors increased. However, Kenin managed to make the first significant breakthrough and, after being just two points away from victory on Raducanu’s serve, closed out the match on her first match point.
“It was a rollercoaster match,” Kenin said afterward. “Emma is a tough competitor, and she played some great tennis. I’m really pleased to have won.”
Both Kenin and Raducanu have struggled for form since Kenin’s Australian Open victory in 2020 and her French Open final appearance that same year. Kenin will now face title contender Jessica Pegula, who defeated Shelby Rogers 6-4 6-3.
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