As Raducanu works through this difficult period, the tennis world remains attentive, eager to see how she responds…
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open
champion, is facing the most challenging
period of her professional career after a
fourth consecutive first-round exit, this
time at the Qatar Open. The British
tennis star was defeated by Russia’s
Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets, 6-
3, 7-5, marking her longest losing streak
to date. citeturn0news10
Raducanu, currently ranked No. 56
globally, entered the tournament as a
wildcard. Despite a promising start,
where she led 3-1 in both sets, she
couldn’t maintain her momentum.
Alexandrova capitalized on Raducanu’s
inconsistent serve and unforced errors,
securing the victory in straight sets.
citeturn0news10
This defeat follows early exits in
previous tournaments, including the
Singapore Open and the Abu Dhabi
Open, where Raducanu faced first-round
losses to Cristina Bucșa and Markéta
Vondroušová, respectively. These
consecutive setbacks have raised
concerns about her current form and
future trajectory in professional tennis.
A significant factor contributing to
Raducanu’s recent struggles is the
absence of a full-time coach. In January
2025, she parted ways with coach Nick
Cavaday due to his health issues and has
since been without a permanent
coaching figure. This lack of consistent
guidance may be affecting her
performance and strategic approach on
the court. citeturn0news10
Critics have also questioned her decision
to accept multiple wildcard entries into
main draws. Since the start of 2024,
Raducanu has accepted 12 wildcards in
17 tournaments. Some suggest that
participating in qualifying rounds could
offer her the opportunity to build
confidence by securing wins against
lower-ranked players, rather than facing
higher-ranked opponents in the main
draw’s early stages. citeturn0news10
Despite these challenges, Raducanu
remains a prominent figure in the tennis
world, known for her remarkable run to
the US Open title as a teenager. However,
her recent form indicates a need for
reassessment and strategic planning to
regain her winning ways.
Looking ahead, Raducanu is considering
her next steps, with the Dubai Tennis
Championships on the horizon. Given
her current ranking, she may need to
participate in qualifying rounds to
secure a spot in the main draw. This
could provide an opportunity to rebuild
her confidence and gain valuable match
experience.
In the broader context of women’s
tennis, Raducanu’s recent struggles
highlight the intense competition and the
challenges young players face in
maintaining consistency at the highest
level. Her journey serves as a reminder
of the pressures and expectations placed
on emerging talents in the sport.
As Raducanu navigates this challenging
phase, the tennis community watches
closely, hopeful for a resurgence from
the young star who once captivated the
world with her extraordinary Grand
Slam triumph.
