British tennis star Emma Raducanu kicked off her 2026 Australian Open campaign with a commanding victory, but not before a fiery on-court exchange with the match umpire threatened to disrupt her rhythm.
A Flashpoint on Margaret Court Arena
Raducanu, the British No.1 and 28th seed, was facing world No.196 Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the first round on Sunday. After securing the opening set 6-4 and building a 2-0 lead in the second, a contentious moment arose at 15-0 in the third game. Raducanu netted her first serve but immediately protested, citing a sudden light distraction. She insisted she should be granted another first serve, rather than being forced to take a riskier second serve.
The 23-year-old could be heard on broadcast attempting to clarify the situation with the official. "Has the light just turned on? That's first serve, no?" Raducanu questioned. The umpire firmly replied, "No it's not first serve. You..." before the Brit interjected, gesturing that she had only just begun her service motion.
"No, no, no, you didn't start the motion where you didn't came up," the umpire continued. Ultimately, the official's decision stood, forcing Raducanu to play a second serve. Fortunately for her, the point was won anyway due to an unforced error from Sawangkaew, whose return sailed long.
Dominant Performance Seals the Deal
The minor controversy did little to derail Raducanu's focus. She swiftly regained her composure and powered through the remainder of the match. Raducanu reeled off four consecutive games to seal the second set 6-1, completing a 6-4, 6-1 triumph. The win preserves her flawless record in the first round at Melbourne Park.
Speaking after the match, Raducanu praised her opponent's level. "I feel very happy," she said. "She was playing incredibly well and her shots were landing on the baseline, and she was playing much higher than her ranking." She also revealed an unconventional late-night preparation, booking a practice court from 9pm to 11pm the evening before.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
The victory sets up a second-round clash with Russia's Anastasia Potapova. A potential third-round meeting with world number one Aryna Sabalenka looms, but Raducanu appears undaunted. She arrived at the tournament managing a foot injury, but expressed optimism about her physical condition.
"It’s definitely a lot better," Raducanu stated. "I’ve been having to manage it for the last few months but I’m really happy with the progress that I’ve made this year. I came out to Australia not knowing how it would go and now I’m in a much better place and just improving day by day."
In a light-hearted moment, the Brit also gave a shout-out to a vocal Australian supporter in the crowd, joking, "A particular shout out to, Rado apparently is my name. You're invited to every match!" With the early-round hurdle cleared and her focus intact, Raducanu's Australian Open journey continues with growing momentum.
