Emma Raducanu's Health Concerns Surface Again During Dubai Championships
British tennis star Emma Raducanu faced renewed health worries during her opening match at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday, requiring a medical timeout where a doctor checked her blood pressure on court. This incident continues a troubling pattern of fitness issues that have plagued the 2021 US Open champion in recent weeks.
Medical Intervention During Match
Raducanu's medical timeout occurred after she lost the first set 6-1 to Croatian opponent Antonia Ruzic, who was a late replacement for the injured Elisabetta Cocciaretto. During the break, tournament medical staff were seen taking Raducanu's blood pressure and administering tablets to the 23-year-old British player.
This marked the second consecutive tournament where Raducanu has required medical attention during a match, following her retirement in Doha last week against Camila Osorio at the Qatar Open. That withdrawal came just one game after she received medical treatment on court.
Recent Health Struggles Revealed
Raducanu's health challenges have been mounting throughout February. Following her appearance in the Transylvania Open final earlier this month, where she battled through a shoulder injury and lengthy semi-final against Oleksandra Oliynykova, Raducanu disclosed she had been suffering from a chest infection.
'I've already been battling a bit of a chest infection, but that [semi-final] match took it out of me extra,' Raducanu told the BBC after losing the Transylvania Open final to Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-2. 'So today, I was pretty gassed from the start. But I would much rather have this situation than have lost that match and not played today and be part of the final.'
Remarkable Comeback in Dubai
Despite the medical intervention and losing the opening set decisively, Raducanu demonstrated her fighting spirit in Dubai. She battled back from a break down to win the second set on a tie-break, forcing the contest into a deciding third set against Ruzic.
This performance showed glimpses of the resilience that carried Raducanu to her historic US Open victory in 2021, which remains the last final she has reached on the WTA Tour. Her participation in the Middle East swing represents an attempt to build momentum following her promising run in Romania, her father Ion's homeland.
Broader Context of Raducanu's Season
Raducanu's current campaign comes amid significant changes in her professional setup. She is currently without a full-time coach after parting ways with Francisco Roig following her early exit at the Australian Open in January.
The Dubai Championships also hold personal significance for Raducanu, marking her first appearance at the tournament since last year's terrifying stalker ordeal. During her 2023 second-round match, Raducanu spotted a man who had previously 'exhibited fixated behaviour' and had approached her days earlier with a letter, leaving her in tears during the match.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport in December about the incident, Raducanu stated that she had 'gotten over it' and no longer feels as though she is hiding. Her return to competitive action in Dubai represents another step in her ongoing professional and personal journey on the tennis circuit.
