I received some pretty bad news – Emma Raducanu emotional after Eastbourne win
Emma Raducanu fought back tears after setting aside 'some pretty bad news' to battle back from a set down to defeat American Ann Li in the first round of the Eastbourne Open.
Amid blustery conditions, the British number one, who missed last week's Berlin Open as she managed a back problem, resumed her Wimbledon preparations with a 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-1 success.
Advertisement
Raducanu has been struggling with the issue since competing in Strasbourg before the French Open and took an off-court medical timeout during her quarter-final loss at Queen's Club earlier this month.
Emma Raducanu was overcome by emotion after the victory (Bradley Collyer/PA).
But, aside from a slip and fall on the grass in set one, she came through her opening examination at Devonshire Park unscathed.
The 2021 US Open champion produced an emotional response after sealing progression in two hours and 18 minutes with a fine backhand winner.
Asked about her reaction, Raducanu, 22, replied: 'I received some pretty bad news, so I would like to keep it personal, if that's OK?
'But it was difficult, very emotional at the end and probably just a release of different emotions.'
Advertisement
Victory over world number 64 Li sets up a second-round clash with 19-year-old Australian Maya Joint, who knocked out two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur on Monday.
'It was a physically demanding match,' said seventh seed Raducanu.
'It was pretty difficult and in the wind you are constantly trying to adjust. We had some long rallies, I was running a lot.
'I feel OK, a little bit of fatigue, a bit of stiffness, but I need to just see how I feel tomorrow.'
Earlier, Harriet Dart blew two match points on serve as she slipped to an agonising defeat to reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Following two suspensions of play in the opening set due to wet weather, the British number four moved to the brink of one of the greatest wins of her career.
But Krejcikova, who defeated Jasmine Paolini in last year's Wimbledon final, survived a first-round shock by hitting back to progress 6-3 6-7 (4) 7-5 in two hours and 40 minutes.
Advertisement
The second seed will face another Briton in round two following Jodie Burrage's 6-3 6-2 win over Japan's Moyuka Uchijima.
Dart did little to hide her frustration at failing to capitalise on the pair of match-clinching opportunities against the 2021 French Open champion, letting out a piercing scream as the following game slipped away.
'Some crazy, crazy conditions today,' said the 28-year-old. 'I was pretty close. I missed a ball on match point and then she played a really good other point on my other match point and then she becomes a bit freer. It was a tough match overall.
'My level was 10 times better than I've played the last two weeks. For me that's more important, especially going to Wimbledon.
Advertisement
'Of course, I'd like to have won today. But I was also playing a very experienced, multiple grand slam winner.'
Billy Harris beat fellow Briton Cameron Norrie (Bradley Collyer/PA).
British number three Sonay Kartal lost 6-3 7-6 (2) to 2021 Eastbourne champion Jelena Ostapenko.
In the first round of the men's draw, Billy Harris won the battle of the Britons by upsetting Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-4.
British qualifier George Loffhagen lost 7-6 (6) 3-6 7-6 (1) to American Reilly Opelka, while Ilkley Open runner-up Jack Pinnington Jones went down 4-6 6-3 6-3 to Portuguese eighth seed Nuno Borges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gareth Southgate to receive knighthood at Windsor Castle
Former England manager Gareth Southgate will be among those accepting honours on Wednesday as he receives a knighthood at Windsor Castle. The 54-year-old, who led the Three Lions to consecutive European Championship finals in 2020 and 2024 and the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, was recognised for his services to association football in the New Year Honours. He is the fourth England boss to be knighted, after Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson. Sir Gareth resigned from the role after eight years in charge following England's 2-1 final defeat to Spain in July last year, before being succeeded by Thomas Tuchel. In a social media post following the announcement in December, he joked that he was unlikely to be called 'Sir' by his family. 'It has been the greatest honour to represent my country as both a player and a manager for some 20 years and to be part of the game I love for almost 40. I am incredibly thankful for the amazing people and teams who have supported me both on and off the field,' he said. 'A special thank you to my family for their constant love and encouragement, though I must admit they've made it clear that the titles I hold at home will remain unchanged.' Sir Gareth won 57 caps for England as a player between 1995 and 2004 and played at three major tournaments, including the 1998 World Cup. He also had a distinguished 16-year career at club level, operating mainly as a defender for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough and making more than 600 appearances. Sir Gareth first joined the Football Association as head of elite development in February 2011 after being sacked as Middlesbrough manager, and went on to coach the under-21s side before his appointment as England manager, initially on a temporary basis, in September 2016. England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, when Sir Gareth turned the waistcoat into a must-have fashion accessory. The team then ended its 55-year wait for a men's final at Euro 2020, delayed 12 months by Covid, before being agonisingly beaten on penalties by Italy at Wembley. A late defeat to Spain three years later again saw the side just miss out on national silverware. Overall, Sir Gareth took charge of 102 matches and is the only manager of the England men's team to lead them to two major tournament finals. Giving an address at the University of London in March, he spoke about how the belief and resilience gained throughout his career in football had 'picked me up when I've been down, grounded me in success, and given me purpose amidst the noise of public life'. Sir Gareth was previously made an OBE for his services to football in the 2019 New Year Honours. British and Irish Lions wing Gerald Davies is also set to be knighted at the investiture ceremony for his services to rugby union and to voluntary and charitable service in Wales. Davies, 80, played for Wales for 12 years in the 1960s and 1970s and won three Grand Slams, and went on to serve as president of the Welsh Rugby Union between 2019 and 2023. Reacting to the honour, he told the PA news agency: 'I feel very emotional about it. I am surprised by it. Words are really quite inadequate to describe it. 'It comes out of the blue. I was dumbstruck in many ways, but you don't achieve these things on your own.'
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
Thomas Frank Said The Right Things At Spurs. That Might Be The Problem
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Brentford manager Thomas Frank looks on during the Premier League ... More match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Brentford FC at Molineux on May 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by) Nice guys do not have a reputation for succeeding in sports. Regarding soccer coaches, the idea that you can be charming and a winner is even rarer. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, Hansi Flick's friendly approach at Bayern Munich and Barcelona has delivered glittering success. But more often than not, having a reputation as a sensitive leader fuels criticism. Take Gareth Southgate, a man who achieved the near impossible; he made players enjoy representing England. His soft-spoken demeanor was constantly used against him, and it was hard not to feel that something was missing in crucial moments when he faced off against men with a killer edge, like Roberto Mancini. For decades, Tottenham Hotspur has been desperately seeking a hard-nosed winner. Understandably, it believed this was the best way to bring silverware to North London. They turned to two of the world's most uncompromising soccer managers in that quest for glory. But neither Antonio Conte nor Jose Mourinho was able to win at Spurs. Ultimately, Ange Postecoglou's positive, affable personality stood starkly in contrast to the leaders before him, who delivered the goods. It wasn't all charm and warmth. During his two-year spell in North London, Postecoglou also reveals the decidedly spikier side to his character. But there was little doubt that when it came to his players, he was a nice guy to work with. You only have to look at the marked difference in the players' responses when Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho left the Spurs. There were few celebrations of those two men's work. Yet, when the Australian coach was fired, the squad lined up to sing his plaudits. Nothing was more rousing than the words came from club captain Son Heung-min. 'Gaffer. You've changed the trajectory of this club,' the South Korean posted on Instagram. 'You believed in yourself and us since day one and never wavered for a second, even when others did. 'You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it's had in decades. We will have those memories for life. 'You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honors of my career. It's been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close. I am a better player and a better person because of you. 'Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate.' Of course, the decision to replace Postecoglou is because of the club's awful league form, which saw it finish 17th. But his ending Tottenham Hotspur's long wait for a trophy creates a strange dynamic for his successor, Thomas Frank. He inherits a squad that simultaneously plumbed new depths and achieved greatness. Frank is also known for his friendly, charming demeanor, so it perhaps shouldn't have come as a surprise that he was very complimentary of the man he replaced. 'Huge congratulations to Ange,' Frank said at his unveiling. 'He will forever be a legend at Tottenham. It's very important to understand that we all stand on the shoulders of others so I am going in on the foundations that Ange has built. I'm very humble about that and I'll do my very best to continue the great work he put in. 'But the feeling and excitement, the joy and happiness you could see in the fans' faces [after the Europa League win], the pictures you saw were … wow. 'Hopefully, we can create more of those moments. That would be the ultimate dream to do that and build on that. Hey, no one can say they are not winners; the team and the players are winners. 'Now we need to do [our] best … to see whether we can be serial winners in the future.' Will Thomas Frank Work At Spurs? BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Thomas Frank, Manager of Brentford, looks on prior to the Premier ... More League match between Brentford FC and Aston Villa FC at Brentford Community Stadium on March 08, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by) Frank's personality complimented his previous club, Brentford, because the club is a perineal underdog. His eccentric positivity matched a team punching above its weight. To put it in perspective, the roof of Tottenham Hotspur's new home costs the same as Brentford's entire stadium. Frank's achievement in taking the club to the top flight for the first time half a century and establishing it there gave him considerable leeway. He will get no such patience from Spurs fans, a sizeable section of whom were unpersuaded. Postecogclu should stay even with him delivering silverware. It is little surprise, therefore, that Frank is already trying to woo them. 'First and foremost, I think it's a fantastic fan base,' he said after being announced as manager. 'Fans are the most important ones; it's the team, the staff, me - all of us - how can we make sure we create enough magic moments with the fans, make moments they remember and get excited about? 'We go on a journey together and on a journey, there'll be ups and downs. It's how we get through those ups and downs together, but, of course, the connection from the team to the fans, from me to the fans - it's going to be crucial.' Part of the reason Spurs fans were less forgiving of his predecessor was the fact their relationship soured considerably in the second season. Frank is astute in realising there is an an opportunity, especially with the positivity of the Europa League win still in the air.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Alcaraz secures second Queen's Club title as Wimbledon preparations continue
Carlos Alcaraz bagged his second title at Queen's Club to follow on from his superb French Open triumph. Alcaraz, the world no2, beat Jack Draper's conqueror Jiri Lehecka in three sets on the Andy Murray Arena - 7-5 6-7(5) 6-2. Advertisement The reigning Wimbledon champion was pushed to the limit by the tricky Czech, who had put together a stunning run to the final of the ATP 500 tournament. Alcaraz struggled to break down his big-serving opponent in the opening set, only earning his first break point opportunity in the seventh game, but Lehecka held firm to deny him. Finally, his resilience was breached by the Spaniard to go up 6-5, and the five-time Grand Slam winner served it out as the west London crowd expected an early ending. That wasn't the case, as Lehecka refused to lie down. He forced a second-set tiebreak, with neither player facing a break point in the set, before Lehecka sped into the ascendancy in the first-to-seven pointer. Advertisement He snagged the mini-break to go up 2-0, and responded immediately to restore his lead at 4-2, and then 6-5. It took Alcaraz, the two-time Wimbledon champion, two break points to move ahead in the decider, and he put his foot down, speeding away from the Czech, who, despite pulling out some superb shot-making, could not compete with Alcaraz's top gear. The Spaniard roared as a final Lehecka backhand was netted to seal the victory, and he will arrive at the All England Club in a week's time full of confidence with his grass-court swing off to the perfect start.
