The atmosphere was electric at Eastbourne, but for Emma Raducanu, the match turned into a true test of heart and grit.
The newly crowned British No.1 barely escaped a scare against world No.64 Ann Li, pulling off a hard-fought 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-1 victory.
The emotional toll was clear as Raducanu fought back tears during her interview on Centre Court, revealing just how much the win meant to her.
Gratitude and Emotion After a Tough Fight
“I feel incredible,” Emma shared, her voice thick with emotion as she dabbed at her face.
“The crowd really got me through some very tough moments.
Their support meant so much to me, and I’m really proud of how I fought back.”
She acknowledged the challenge right from the start: “It was a tough match.
Ann was hitting winners, and with the wind swirling around, it was really tricky out there.
I’m just very proud to have pulled through.”
Upcoming Challenge Against Ons Jabeur
With this gritty first-round win under her belt, Raducanu now faces a formidable opponent in former Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur.
However, the British star’s preparation has been anything but ideal — battling not just Jabeur but also cold, gusty seaside winds and a lingering back injury.
Wrestling with Injury and Form
Emma’s grass-court season has been disrupted by a persistent back problem.
Although she showed signs of returning to her best at Queen’s Club two weeks ago, an injury flare-up forced her to withdraw from Berlin after reaching the quarter-finals there.
Ahead of Eastbourne, she openly admitted she was dealing with “good days and bad days” in her recovery.
The match started rough, with Ann Li quickly racing to a 3-0 lead within just 12 minutes.
Fighting Back with Determination
But something has clearly changed this season: Raducanu’s resilience.
Despite battling a strong wind and a confident opponent, she kept her head down, clawed back, and leveled the score.
A key boost came from a fresh voice in her corner — her friend and fellow player Fran Jones — who joined coach Mark Petchy to provide encouragement and tactical support.
As Jones shouted, “Get after it, Radders!”
Emma held her nerve to even the score at 5-5 in the first set, showing the fight that’s become her trademark.
Physical Struggles on a Windy Court
Though Raducanu fought hard, she didn’t look fully fluid or comfortable.
A slip near the baseline late in the first set left her gingerly clutching her hip, clearly feeling the physical toll.
The windy conditions didn’t help either, forcing Emma to bend low repeatedly to return Li’s tricky, wind-driven shots.
The first set went to a tense tiebreak, where Raducanu took a 5-3 lead.
Then, aided by a narrowly missed drop shot from Li, Emma regained momentum and secured the set, stealing it after a tough battle.
Grinding Through the Second Set
The second set was a seesaw affair.
Both players traded service breaks amid the swirling seaside winds.
Raducanu’s serve was tested, but she held firm — even though she didn’t look quite as smooth or natural as usual.
A critical moment came in the sixth game when Raducanu broke Li’s serve again, only to be broken right back.
However, a stunning forehand passing shot helped Emma hold serve in the following game, giving her a chance to finish the set on her own racquet.
Turning Up the Heat to Seal the Win
Emma didn’t waste time in the third set.
She quickly broke Li’s serve after some tense rallies and confidently held her own serve with solid, straightforward tennis.
As Raducanu grew more aggressive and open in her movement, she took control and closed out the match decisively.
By the end, it was clear she was having one of her better days — showing the kind of mental toughness and determination that has become her hallmark.
Looking Ahead
With that win behind her, Raducanu will prepare for the next challenge against Ons Jabeur, hoping to build momentum and manage her fitness as she pushes deeper into the tournament.