Emma Raducanu has explained why she is 'celebrating' just minutes after losing the Queen's final, finishing runner-up after playing three matches in less than two days. The British No. 1 suffered a 6-0 7-6(6) defeat to lucky loser Donna Vekic on Sunday, capping a relentless week plagued by rain delays.
A Tough Season
Raducanu started 2026 with a foot injury and later split from coach Francisco Roig in late January. A viral illness sidelined her for over two months, yet she has still reached two finals this year: the Transylvania Open in February and now Queen's.
Speaking after the match, Raducanu admitted the straight-set defeat 'stung' but emphasized the need to celebrate her achievements. 'I haven't really played much this season, but to think I have made two finals so far, which I haven't done in years, it has to be kind of, in a way, celebrated, and it's a good achievement for me, and I'm proud of it,' she said.
Forgotten Thanks
Raducanu, who will rise to world No. 31, also revealed she forgot to thank her team during the runner-up speech. She later made sure to acknowledge them. 'I think I played really well this week. It's just nice to have the team that I do,' she explained. 'They have helped me through some really sticky situations in the past few months, and it honestly means the world to me.'
This was Raducanu's third career final after her 2021 US Open triumph. Despite the loss, she remains proud of her resilience and looks ahead to the rest of the season.
