Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, faced yet another setback as she was forced to retire from her Korea Open quarterfinal against Daria Kasatkina due to a foot injury. After losing the first set 6-1, Raducanu called it quits, ending her hopes of advancing further in the tournament. This injury, unfortunately, echoes a pattern of physical issues she has dealt with since her breakthrough victory at the US Open, where she captured the tennis world’s attention.
Raducanu’s campaign in Seoul had shown promise as she fought her way into the quarterfinals, beating two top-50 players, Peyton Stearns and Yue Yuan. However, she had already struggled with her foot during her last-16 match against Yuan, signaling a potential issue. Despite taking a medical timeout during that match and managing to win, the injury re-emerged in the quarterfinal, cutting short her progress.
The match against Kasatkina, the top seed, started competitively, but Raducanu’s foot problems worsened after just five games. She was broken multiple times during the first set and sought medical advice before ultimately deciding she couldn’t continue. Kasatkina, who expressed sympathy for Raducanu, highlighted how injuries can be particularly challenging deep into tournaments.
This latest injury raises concerns about Raducanu’s ability to maintain a consistent run in tournaments. Since her US Open triumph, she has faced recurring physical challenges that have limited her performance and opportunities to build on her early success. The Korea Open, hit by a string of withdrawals from other top players, presented a chance for her to make a mark, but the injury ended that possibility.
Despite these difficulties, Raducanu remains determined to make her mark on the WTA Tour, as she had expressed her desire to play more matches before the end of the season.