Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open journey came to an abrupt end on Tuesday, leaving fans and the 23-year-old British star reflecting on what went wrong.
The 28th seed suffered a straight-sets defeat to world No. 55 Anastasia Potapova, losing 7-6 (3), 6-2, after a match filled with unforced errors and missed opportunities.
“It wasn’t my day,” Raducanu admitted afterward, openly critiquing her own performance.
Despite entering the tournament with hopes of a high-profile clash against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, her plans were cut short as she struggled to find her rhythm on court.
Searching for the Right Formula
Since hiring coach Francisco Roig last summer, Raducanu has expressed optimism about the work they are doing together.
Yet, she admits she hasn’t quite found the playing style she wants to execute consistently.
“I think I’m going to take a few days, get back home, and just re-evaluate my game,” she explained.
“I want to watch it back, see where I can improve, and figure out what feels right physically and visually. I need to feel confident in certain shots before I start competing again.”
She added, “I want to play differently—more like I did when I was younger. Right now, there’s a misalignment between how I’m playing and how I want to play.
I want to hit the ball hard and to the corners, rather than focusing too much on variety, which isn’t working for me.”
Inconsistency Since the US Open Triumph
Raducanu’s career trajectory since her stunning 2021 US Open victory has been a rollercoaster.
She has worked with multiple coaches and tried different strategies but has struggled to find consistent results.
Her form showed promise last spring and summer under former British No. 1 Mark Petchey, but she has taken steps back recently, partly due to injuries.
A foot issue forced her off court during pre-season, limiting preparation and contributing to her uneven start in Australia.
Match Analysis: Errors and Missed Chances
The Australian Open second-round match saw Raducanu falter under windy conditions, while Potapova gradually regained composure to edge out the first set from 5-3 down.
Raducanu struggled particularly with her forehand and seemed increasingly frustrated as the second set slipped away.
“I thought it was a very difficult match with the conditions in the first set,” Raducanu said.
“I didn’t deal with it as well as I could have. She played better as the match went on, and credit to her for that.”
She reflected on her mindset, saying, “I don’t want to be too hard on myself. My preparation for this tournament was unusual, and even getting here was an achievement.
I feel positive about coming to Australia and playing a slam, even if I wasn’t fully ready.”
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding and the Transylvania Open
Despite the disappointing exit, Raducanu is already focused on the next steps in her season.
“I just need to be pragmatic, take it as it is, and keep working,” she said.
“The season is still long. If I stay healthy and continue to prepare properly, things should start falling into place.”
Her next tournament is the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, Romania—her father’s homeland—beginning on February 1.
It will be another chance for Raducanu to regroup and find the form that made her a Grand Slam champion.
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