Emma Raducanu's anticipated quarter-final match at the Korea Open ended abruptly on Saturday as she was forced to retire due to injury after losing the first set 6-1 to top seed Daria Kasatkina. The former US Open champion's foot injury, which became evident during the match, also plagued her during the earlier round against Yuan Yue.
Raducanu's latest setback raised concerns among her fans, who have witnessed her struggle with form and fitness since her stunning Grand Slam triumph two years ago. The match, played at the Olympic Park Tennis Center, saw Raducanu commit several double faults and exhibit difficulty moving around the court, primarily due to pain in her left foot—the leg she lands on during serves.
After calling for medical attention, she attempted to continue playing but struggled noticeably. Kasatkina, ranked 13th, led 6-1 when Raducanu made the difficult decision to retire. "I feel sorry for Emma... it's easy to get injured, especially deep during these tournaments," Kasatkina expressed after the match, wishing Raducanu a speedy recovery.
The foot issue also reared its head earlier for Raducanu when she faced Chinese player Yuan Yue, where she managed to push through the pain to win the match 6-4, 6-3 after taking a medical timeout. This recurring injury has become a painful reminder for Raducanu as she bids to regain her form at the top level of the sport.
Raducanu's 2024 season has been marred by inconsistency and injuries, which have hindered her ability to perform at the level expected of her following her remarkable US Open win. She recently described feeling “disappointed” after bowing out early from competitions this year.
Despite these challenges, there were moments earlier this season where Raducanu shined. She reached the third round of the Australian Open, displaying glimpses of her extraordinary talent, but later faced early exits at other events, illustrating the volatility of her current form.
Following her retirement, Kasatkina advanced to the semi-finals, where she will meet either fourth seed Diana Shnaider or fifth seed Marta Kostyuk. Meanwhile, Brazilian third seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, who pulled off impressive back-to-back victories to reach the final, awaits the outcomes of other matches before adding pressure on the remaining competitors.
With the Korea Open representing a pivotal opportunity for Raducanu to claw her way back up the WTA rankings and solidify her place among the elite, her fans are left hoping for her recovery and future returns to form.
