Emma Raducanu again struggled physically in a first-round exit at the Ningbo Open against China’s Zhu Lin, raising questions for the rest of her season.
The British No. 1 was back on the field a week after withdrawing from her opening match in Wuhan with dizziness in hot and humid conditions. She posted a photo on social media from a doctor’s office and said she was feeling better, but she faded after winning the opening set against Zhu and slumped to a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 defeat.
Initially there seemed to be no concerns, with temperatures lower than last week, but Raducanu began to look lethargic early in the second set and called the doctor after seven games.
Things got worse in the decider, the 2021 US Open champion once again seeking medical attention – this time for her troublesome lower back – and limping to the finish.
Raducanu was without her coach Francisco Roig, as the Spaniard took a week off at home in Barcelona and instead had partner Alexis Canter on court, along with physical trainer Daniel Pohl.
Canter offered plenty of encouragement as Raducanu managed to keep her nose in front during the first set, despite appearing frustrated with the way she was playing and dropping serve twice.
The looks turned to concern in the second set when the 22-year-old quickly fell behind 2-0, moved slowly and was beaten by Zhu, who was just outside the top 30 two years ago before falling below 200 due to injury.
Raducanu kept herself in the set and pulled back to 2-2 and then 4-4 after consulting the doctor, where she had her blood pressure checked, but she scored a forehand on set point in the 10th game.
She walked slowly off the pitch for a toilet break but things did not improve, with Raducanu’s back problem, which had been a problem all season, flaring up again.
She doubled up repeatedly early in the decider and took a medical timeout for treatment after three games. Raducanu chose not to retire again, but she could barely move and the end came quickly.
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