Emma Raducanu makes sad admission ahead of Naomi Osaka clash in Washington
The British tennis star is out in the United States to prepare for the US Open – the final major event of the year – which gets underway next month.
Raducanu, the world No.46, conjured up a brilliant 7-6 6-4 win over seventh-seed Marta Kostyuk in Washington on Tuesday to reach the last 16.
Her victory has set up a battle between two former Grand Slam champions, Raducanu and Osaka, who have never faced each other on the WTA Tour.
Speaking ahead of that showdown, Raducanu said: 'I think when we're on the Tour, it's very difficult to really open up with other players that you're competing against.
'I think for me, I have a few friends on the Tour, but it does add another dimension when you play them.
'I have really good friends at home that I can trust and speak to, but other than that, you know, I don't think that, yeah, this is – for me, I just find it harder to compete against a person I'm friends with.'
Raducanu, who won her only major title to date at the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, has highlighted that she and Osaka have been on very different career paths, with her Japanese opponent having won four Grand Slams.
Osaka, five years older that the Brit, has also previously enjoyed 25 weeks as the world No.1, while Raducanu's career-high ranking is world No.10.
'When I won my US Open, I came from school, I was no one, I was 200 in the world, and Naomi [Osaka] had already won,' Raducanu, 22, added.
'She was already a known figure on the Tour, and people kind of expected, okay, like, she's going to start doing well and start winning Slams. More Trending
'Whereas I think when I won, it was completely out of nowhere. It means that I didn't quite build the foundations she had when she won her Grand Slams, which I think is why she was able to repeat and win another three, you know, back-to-back US Open and Australia.
'I think she was an established pro tour player, whereas I didn't necessarily feel that way. It's probably why I had a lot more dips afterwards.'
Raducanu shook her head when quizzed if she had met Osaka before.
The two players are set to lock horns around 6pm UK time today (Thursday, July 24) with the clash being shown live on Sky Sports Tennis.
MORE: Who's next for Oleksandr Usyk? Joseph Parker could get his shot but a third fight with Tyson Fury cannot be ruled out
MORE: 'I'm sorry?' – Cameron Norrie surprised by 'disgusting' Emma Raducanu question during Wimbledon press conference
MORE: Wimbledon respond to Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper complaints over key change
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Scottish cyclist on track for historic Tour De France finish
Scottish cyclist Oscar Onley could be set for a historic Tour De France finish. Another strong stage on Friday means the 22-year-old is on track to finish fourth in the General Classification (overall standings). If he keeps that up over the final two stages across the weekend, he'll match fellow Scot Robert Millar's (now Pippa York) fourth-place finish 41 years ago. York won a stage in 1984- which Onley hasn't yet managed this year. However, he saw his podium dream fade on Friday as Thymen Arensman won the final mountain stage of this punishing race in La Plagne. Tadej Pogacar followed Jonas Vingegaard over the line just behind Arensman, a fourth overall crown now looking safe with his lead at four minutes 24 seconds over Vingegaard, who took back a couple of bonus seconds but nothing more on this final opportunity to make major changes to the standings. Onley, riding his second Tour, started the day 22 seconds behind third-placed Florian Lipowitz, both men fighting for the best young rider's white jersey, but faded towards the summit of La Plagne to concede 41 seconds and stay fourth overall. It was a second stage win of his debut Tour for Arensman, who had scored a much-needed victory for the Ineos Grenadiers on stage 14 on Superbagneres. UAE Team Emirates-XRG had looked determined to set up Pogacar for what would have been an exclamation mark of a fifth stage victory of this race on the final climb, but Arensman tried a number of attacks and when he went clear with 13km of the climb remaining, he managed to open a gap. His advantage over Pogacar, Vingegaard, Onley and Lipowitz hovered at around 30 seconds, the sort of margin a fully-fresh Pogacar would be able to close at will, but the fatigue in everyone's legs perhaps told as the anticipated attack from behind never really materialised. It was only when Onley began to struggle that Lipowitz saw his opportunity to finish off the Scot, moving to the front and upping the pace. But even so, Arensman hung on to win by a couple of seconds. 'I feel absolutely destroyed,' Arensman said. 'I can't believe it. Already to win one stage in the Tour was unbelievable from a breakaway, but now to do it against the GC group, against the strongest riders in the world, it feels like I'm dreaming. I don't know what I just did.' The discovery of a contagious disease amongst cattle in the area had forced changes to the route, which was shortened from 129.9 kilometres to 95km, removing two climbs but leaving the main tests of the Col du Pre and the finish to La Plagne, still with 3,250m of climbing packed in. Primoz Roglic had been immediately on the attack in an all-or-nothing attempt to move up from fifth overall, but he was caught before the final climb and quickly distanced to move well down, not up, the general classification. With a hilly but not mountainous stage from Nantua to Pontarlier on the menu for Saturday before Sunday's run into Paris – which this year includes the Montmartre climb – there could still be some changes at the sharp end of the general classification but it is difficult to see the podium changing. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Washington Open: Raducanu wins first set of quarter-final against Sakkari
Latest updates Eugene Allen live updates. Chris Bascombe 25 July 2025 6:21pm 6:21PM Raducanu* 6-4, 1-1 Sakkari Raducanu races to a 30-0 lead after some good play from the baseline, before Sakkari cracks a forehand return down the line for a clean winner. Another good serve to the body sees the Greek go long with the return to hand Raducanu two game points. The Briton seals the game with an ace. 6:18PM Second set: Raducanu 6-4, 0-1 Sakkari* Sakkari gets the second set started with a good hold to 30. 6:15PM First set all about fighting spirit Raducanu played brilliant tennis in her first two rounds in Washington. That first set was all about her fighting spirit. Not sure we'd have seen that ability to withstand a physical barrage in tough conditions this time last year. 6:12PM Raducanu wins set one 6-4 Raducanu, serving for the first set, wins the opening point before Sakkari draws level at 15-15. A good serve to the body moves the scoreboard to 30-15. An ace brings up two set points! Sakkari saves one with a forehand winner down the line but is unabele to save the second. Advantage Raducanu in this quarter-final! Emma Raducanu claims the first set against Maria Sakkari 🔥💪 — Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) July 25, 2025 6:08PM Fatigue a factor for the server Fatigue a huge factor for the player serving. It's going to feel like a gruelling journey ahead for whoever loses the first set, as the debilitating heat is obviously a big influence on this match. 6:06PM Raducanu 5-4 Sakkari* Sakkari goes wide with a backhand then double-faults to give Raducanu an early 0-30 advantage. The Briton then nets a forehand to go 15-30. Good baseline play sees Sakkari finish the point with a well-timed inside-out forehand winner down the line. A massive backhand winner return brings up break point for Raducanu and the Briton takes it! Raducanu will serve for this opening set after the sitdown. 6:01PM Raducanu* 4-4 Sakkari Sakkari races to a 0-30 lead thanks to some aggressive baseline play. Raducanu gets on the board following a wild Sakkari forehand. The Greek then nets a drive volley on the forehand wing which brings the game to 30-30 before a lovely backhand return winner gets Sakkari to 30-40. Raducanu saves break point then throws in a double fault to hand Sakkari a second break point. And Sakkari breaks as Raducanu double-faults again! 5:54PM Raducanu 4-3 Sakkari* Sakkari gets things started with an ace before Raducanu draws an error from the Greek on the backhand wing. Sakkari then goes wide with a forehand to give Raducanu a look in before a good first serve moves the score to 30-30. Raducanu then toys with Sakkari from the baseline to bring up break point but the world No 90 quickly snuffs it out with an ace. A nice exchange from the back of the court ends with a lovely Sakkari volley but the Greek is unable to close out the game as she goes wide with a drop-volley effort. Advantage Raducanu as Sakkari goes long with a forehand. And Raducanu breaks again! 5:46PM Raducanu* 3-3 Sakkari After exchanging the first couple of points, Raducanu goes long with a forehand to fall 15-30 behind. A good serve to the body sees the Briton draw level at 30-30 and another brings up game point. And the Briton seals it with another fine serve out wide.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Emma Raducanu v Maria Sakkari: Start time, TV channel and how to watch Washington Open online
Emma Raducanu takes on Greek wildcard Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals of the Washington Open today. Raducanu saw off Naomi Osaka in straight sets in the second round, having stunned seventh seed Marta Kostyuk in her opening match. Sakkari was a surprise winner herself as she knocked out second seed Emma Navarro to progress. Raducanu, who will reclaim the British No 1 ranking from Katie Boulter when the WTA rankings are released on Monday, is also into the women's doubles semi-finals, playing alongside Wimbledon 2022 champion Elena Rybakina. Raducanu is searching for her first WTA Tour title since winning the US Open in 2021. Here is everything you need to know. When is Raducanu v Sakkari? The quarter-final match is scheduled to take place at 5pm BST today, Friday 25 July, on the Stadium Court at the HG FitzGerald Tennis Center. TV channel Raducanu v Sakkari will be shown live on Sky Sports Tennis in the UK. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via the Sky Sports website and app. What Raducanu said after beating Osaka "I thought it was going to be a really difficult match. Naomi's won four slams, she's been world number one, won Masters," Raducanu told Sky Sports. "She's so dangerous and on the hard courts, I think she's particularly comfortable. "I knew I was going to have to play well and manage my own service games, which I'm really proud of how I did. I was making some inroads in her service game after I got used to it a little bit. "I'm really pleased with how I handled the ball speed and conditions here in DC." If Raducanu can beat Sakkari, she will up against either Clara Tauson or Anna Kalinskaya in the semi-finals.
