Emma Raducanu expressed a desire to adjust her preparation for future Grand Slam tournaments after losing to Sofia Kenin in the first round of the US Open. The 21-year-old Briton, who was seeking her first win in New York since her stunning 2021 title run as a teenage qualifier, fell 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to the fellow Grand Slam champion.
Raducanu’s recent return to the court has been challenging, following her recovery from wrist and ankle surgeries that kept her out of last year’s US Open. She played only one tournament between Wimbledon in July and the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals in Washington. Raducanu admitted that a lack of match practice contributed to her defeat against Kenin and suggested she would plan differently in the future. “I would like to play more matches,” she told BBC 5 Live, noting that while she might not compete in every tournament, more match play would help her feel more “automatic” on court.
Reflecting on the match, Raducanu acknowledged her slow start but praised her ability to fight back in the second and third sets. However, she stressed the importance of not falling behind early at this level, where a single set can make all the difference. Despite her struggles this year, Raducanu sees progress, citing her climb back into the top 100 after returning from injury.
Meanwhile, Kenin, who has also faced form issues since winning the 2020 Australian Open, moves on to face sixth seed Jessica Pegula in the next round. Both players will be looking to build on this momentum as they continue their campaigns at the US Open.
