Emma Raducanu expressed disappointment with her performance following a straight-sets loss to world No. 5 Zheng Qinwen at the Queen’s Club Championships on Friday, but the British star dismissed concerns over a potential serious back injury.
Raducanu fell 6-2, 6-4 in the quarter-final clash despite a spirited effort, particularly in the second set where she surged to a 3-0 lead after receiving a medical timeout for a back issue. However, Zheng regained control and powered through to secure victory.
“I’m not too pleased with the level I played today,” Raducanu told the BBC after the match. “I’ve played five matches in a short span, including doubles, and I’m probably feeling the effects of that. I need to let the back rest and see how it responds.”
While the 21-year-old admitted the back issue was frustrating, she was quick to rule out anything serious. “I’m not overly concerned that it’s anything major, but it is something that’s annoying and requires proper, careful management.”
Reflecting on her progress and the gap between her and the game’s elite, Raducanu acknowledged the work ahead. “I’ve made a lot of improvements and put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes, but there’s still a long way to go. They’re stronger and have had more time training. I need to do the same and raise my level.”
Raducanu is scheduled to continue her grass-court season at the German Open in Berlin as part of her build-up to Wimbledon.
