#emma_raducanu

Maja Chwalinska's Unlikely Journey to Roland Garros Final Maja Chwalinska, the World No. 114 player, has stunned the tennis world with her improbable run to the Roland Garros final. Over 18 days, the qualifier has defeated nine opponents to become the first in the Open Era to reach the French Open final. Her achievement is compared to Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open run, marking a rare and remarkable feat in the sport. Chwalinska, who has never held a top-100 ranking, has maintained a consistent performance throughout the tournament. She has dropped just one set in her nine matches, losing only to Maria Sakkari in the third round. Her latest victory over 25th-seeded Diana Shnaider—secured with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 scoreline—highlighted her tactical adaptability and physical resilience. Against Shnaider, Chwalinska hit 32 winners while committing just 17 unforced errors, showcasing her ability to neutralize powerful opponents through variety and precision. Despite her success, Chwalinska has remained grounded, stating she has no superstitions. “I’m not a very superstitious person,” she said after the semifinal win. “My coaches are, though. They eat pizza every day—like, every day—and we’re here three weeks. They’re going to gain so much weight, you guys. It’s gonna be terrible. But if they want, I can’t say no. Maybe it helps. I don’t know.” Her coaches’ pizza habit has become a talking point, though Chwalinska herself has not adopted the practice. Ahead of her final against eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva, she plans to stick to her routine: sleeping, drinking tea, and watching tennis. “I’m going to repeat myself,” she said. “I’m going to sleep, and I’m going to drink my tea. I’m going to watch something good, maybe some tennis a bit, because I’m a tennis freak. And that’s it.#emma_raducanu #maja_chwalinska #mirra_andreeva #roland_garros #diana_shnaider

Madrid champion Kostyuk, Raducanu withdraw from Rome Two days after securing her first WTA 1000 title at the Madrid Open, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk withdrew from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia event in Rome due to a right hip injury. British player Emma Raducanu also pulled out of the Italian tournament, citing a post-viral illness. Both withdrawals came just days after their respective victories in Madrid, marking a significant setback for their clay-court campaigns. Kostyuk, the No. 27 seed, had entered the Rome tournament as a strong contender, aiming to become only the fourth woman in history to win both Madrid and Rome titles in consecutive years. The achievement would have joined an elite group including Dinara Safina, Serena Williams, and Iga Swiatek. Her path to the Madrid title was marked by a dominant straight-sets victory over Anastasia Andreeva, capping a streak of 11 consecutive wins on clay this year. Kostyuk’s success on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz included titles in Rouen and Madrid, solidifying her status as a rising force in women’s tennis. In a social media post, Kostyuk expressed her disappointment at missing the Rome event, stating, “After the best stretch of my career, I was looking forward to Rome. But sometimes your body has other plans… With my ankle still not fully at 100%, it’s just not smart to keep pushing right now.” She emphasized her commitment to recovery, vowing to return for the Paris tournament. Raducanu, the No. 23 seed, had not competed since her third-round exit at the Indian Wells event. Her withdrawal from Rome followed a prolonged absence due to a post-viral illness, which also forced her to skip the Linz and Madrid tournaments. The British player’s absence leaves a gap in the Rome draw, with her spot to be filled by a qualifier.#emma_raducanu #wta_1000 #madrid_open #internazionali_bnl_ditalia #mart_a_kostyuk

Emma Raducanu withdraws from Miami Open due to ongoing illness Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Miami Open after citing health issues, marking another setback in her recent return to competitive tennis. The 23-year-old British world No. 1, who received a bye into the second round of the tournament, had been preparing for the event following a challenging period of recovery from post-viral symptoms. The illness, which she has been battling since her time in the Middle East last month, has forced her to skip the event. Raducanu’s recent participation in the Indian Wells tournament highlighted her struggles with fitness. In a third-round match earlier this month, she faced a 6-1, 6-1 defeat at the hands of Amanda Anisimova. After the 52-minute match, Raducanu acknowledged her physical limitations, stating she lacked the power to compete effectively against the two-time Grand Slam finalist. She admitted to avoiding drop shots and struggling to apply pressure with her return of serve, which left her unable to challenge Anisimova’s dominance. The former 2021 US Open champion had recently parted ways with her coach Francisco Roig in January and has been working with Mark Petchey on an ad-hoc basis. This transition has been part of her efforts to regain form after a difficult period marked by health challenges and inconsistent results. With her seedings at 24th, Raducanu’s absence from Miami means she will not face compatriot Sonay Kartal in the round of 64. Kartal is set to open her campaign against American Peyton Stearns. The withdrawal leaves Raducanu’s future in the tournament uncertain, as she continues to prioritize her health over competition.#emma_raducanu #miami_open #sonay_kartal #amanda_anisimova #mark_petchey

Emma Raducanu's Miami Open match against fellow British player Sonay Kartal has been canceled as the former US Open champion withdraws from the tournament. Raducanu, seeded 24th, was set to face Kartal in the third round but will not compete due to ongoing health issues. The withdrawal marks her second absence from a tournament in three years, following a similar exit in 2024 after a lower back injury. The cancellation comes as Raducanu continues to deal with the lingering effects of a viral infection she contracted during a recent tournament in the Middle East. She had previously struggled with health problems during the Cluj tournament, where she reached the final. Her absence from the Miami Open is expected to result in a drop in her ranking, which could have long-term implications for her career. Raducanu was anticipated to face Kartal, a close friend and fellow British player, in the tournament. Kartal, who had to first overcome Peyton Stearns in the previous round, was seen as a potential highlight for British fans. However, the matchup will not materialize, leaving fans disappointed. Raducanu’s recent performance at the Indian Wells tournament showed some signs of improvement, as she reached the third round. She lost to Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, acknowledging the gap in power and serve speed between them. “When I'm playing someone at the top like that, I think they have an extra 10 miles an hour on their serve,” she said. She emphasized the need to be more aggressive in matches against top players but admitted there is still room for growth. Raducanu has also been without a full-time coach since splitting with Francisco Roig in January. While she worked with Mark Petchey during the Indian Wells tournament, their partnership is now uncertain following her Miami withdrawal.#emma_raducanu #indian_wells_tournament #miami_open #sonay_kartal #cluj_tournament

Emma Raducanu Seeks First Win at Indian Wells Since 2024 in Opener Against Anastasia Zakharova Emma Raducanu is set to return to the WTA Indian Wells tournament in 2026, aiming to secure her first victory at the event since 2024. The British player will face qualifier Anastasia Zakharova in her opening match, a contest that carries significance as Raducanu looks to regain momentum after a challenging start to the season. Zakharova, who advanced through the qualifying rounds, will be the underdog in this encounter, though she brings confidence from her recent success. The match is scheduled to take place on Stadium 4 at 11 a.m. local time (7 p.m. GMT), with live coverage available via Sky/Now TV. The tournament, held in Indian Wells, USA, offers a prize pool of $61,865 for the qualifying round, highlighting the competitive nature of the event. Raducanu, seeded for the tournament, will begin her campaign in the second round, where she faces Zakharova, a qualifier with a strong record in lower-tier events. Head-to-head statistics reveal Zakharova holds a slight edge in their previous encounters, with a 1-0 record in ITF matches. However, Raducanu’s recent performance in 2026 suggests she may have the upper hand. In their latest head-to-head comparison, Raducanu leads in key metrics such as first-serve return points won (41.1% vs. 34.9%) and break point conversion (56.1% vs. 36.7%). These figures indicate Raducanu’s ability to capitalize on opportunities, a critical factor in high-stakes matches. Both players are aggressive baseliners, relying on powerful groundstrokes and solid backhands. Raducanu’s first-strike approach contrasts with Zakharova’s preference for long rallies from the back of the court.#emma_raducanu #anastasia_zakharova #wta_indian_wells #stadium_4 #qualifying_round

Emma Raducanu vs Anastasia Zakharova: Score and Updates from Indian Wells Emma Raducanu displayed strong form during her match against Anastasia Zakharova at the Indian Wells tournament. The first set saw Raducanu dominate, winning 6-1. Her powerful serves and precise groundstrokes disrupted Zakharova’s rhythm, with Raducanu securing key break points and maintaining control throughout. Zakharova struggled to adapt, often hitting long forehands and failing to capitalize on opportunities. Raducanu’s ability to return serves effectively and her aggressive baseline play left Zakharova on the back foot, allowing the British player to take the first set comfortably. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Raducanu continuing to assert her dominance. She maintained her composure under pressure, converting multiple break points and holding her serve with authority. Zakharova, despite her efforts to rally, found herself unable to match Raducanu’s pace and precision. Raducanu’s wide serves to the deuce side proved particularly effective, forcing Zakharova into errors. The Russian player’s serve, however, became a point of frustration, with its slow delivery and excessive ball-bounces drawing criticism from commentators. Zakharova’s attempts to counter Raducanu’s strength were met with mixed results, as the Briton’s consistent ball striking kept Zakharova guessing. Raducanu’s performance was further highlighted by her use of a new baby blue Uniqlo kit, which she debuted during the match. The outfit, paired with her trademark confidence on the court, added a stylish touch to her already formidable presence. Her ability to stay focused and execute her game plan under pressure underscored her readiness for high-stakes competition.#tennis #emma_raducanu #anastasia_zakharova #indian_wells #uniqlo