Emma Raducanu gives health update after doctor’s check-up during Miami Open
Emma Raducanu has opened up about her health struggles during her gruelling three-set defeat to Jessica Pegula at the Miami Open.
Following her stunning wins over eighth seed Emma Navarro and 17th seed Amanda Anisimova en route to her maiden WTA 1000 quarter-final, Raducanu took on world No 4 Pegula in hot and humid conditions in Florida.
The American took the opening set courtesy of a single break in game five before Raducanu hit back with a break in game four of the second set as she raced into a 5-2 lead.
But she started to feel “faint” midway during the set second and Pegula broke back to reduce the deficit to 5-4. At the end of the ninth game, Raducanu called for the doctor as she explained she was feeling dizzy.
The world No 60’s vitals were checked and she soon resumed the match and ended up winning the second set via a tie-breaker before the fourth seed hit back in the decider to secure a 6-4, 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 victory.
Asked about her decision to call for a doctor, Raducanu said: “I just felt really dizzy. I felt faint. I don’t know, it was very humid out there and we have a long wait, so maybe just an accumulation, and just physical points as well and there were long rallies and heavy conditions.
“But yeah I don’t know how I kind of regrouped in that second set, but in the third I definitely struggled a little bit.”
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Raducanu’s run to the last eight in Miami was easily her best performance since she fairytale run at the 2021 US Open.
The 22-year-old is projected to jump 12 places to No 47 in the WTA Rankings after the WTA 1000 event, leaving her only 10 places behind British No 1 Katie Boulter.
Former world No 4 turned pundit Tim Henman admits Raducanu ran out of steam against Pegula, but feels there are a lot of positives from her five matches.
“I thought Emma just lost to a better player. She fought so hard, very tight first two sets. She did so well to get that second set,” he told Sky Sports Tennis.
“She looked a little bit fatigued but started being more aggressive to try and keep the points short, looking to take the match to Pegula.
“Once she got that second set, you thought: ‘There’s a chance.’ But Pegula showed her hard-court experience and just raised her level, so full credit to her for getting through to the semi-finals.
“But there’s no doubt Raducanu will take so many positives from this run in Miami. When you see Raducanu playing at this level, the tennis has always been there, but the movement in and out of the corners when she’s been on defence, it’s been so impressive.
“The way she’s strung together these wins is going to give her huge confidence. She’s got to keep doing the work in the gym and on the track, and then when she gets out on the tournament stage, I think these wins will continue.”
