Emma Raducanu faces early exit at US Open 2024. © Twitter (@federcanu)
Emma Raducanu’s return to the US Open ended in disappointment as she was ousted in the first round by Sofia Kenin. Raducanu, who captured the title in a sensational run as a teenage qualifier in 2021, was defeated 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. This loss adds to her struggles in New York, where she also exited in the first round in 2022 and missed the 2023 tournament due to wrist and ankle surgeries.
The 21-year-old Brit had hoped to find her footing again at Flushing Meadows but fell short against Kenin, another former Grand Slam champion. Raducanu had only played one tournament between Wimbledon and the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals in Washington earlier this month. The lack of match play appeared to hinder her performance, as she struggled to find consistency in the deciding set.
Raducanu apologized for his emotional post-match interview, saying he was “sad” and “down” about the outcome. She reflected on her preparation, acknowledging that she might need to adjust her approach for future Grand Slam tournaments. Raducanu expressed a desire to play more matches leading up to major events, noting that while she wouldn’t compete in every possible game, she would likely participate in more than she did this time around.
Despite the early exit, Raducanu remains focused on learning from the experience and improving her schedule to better prepare for the challenges ahead. Despite the ups and downs of her early career, her willingness to learn and enhance shows that she will remain a powerful force in women’s tennis.
