Emma Raducanu returned to action at the Korea Open in Seoul this week, facing off against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in the first round. The British tennis star’s match was delayed due to persistent rain in the Korean capital.
With challenging weather conditions affecting the tournament schedule, players have had to adapt to difficult circumstances at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center.
Why Did Emma Raducanu Cry at the Korea Open?
Raducanu faced World No. 41 Jaqueline Cristian in the opening round at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center on Wednesday. The match had been pushed back from Tuesday due to heavy rain that swept through the Korean capital. When play finally began, both players had to deal with very slow court conditions caused by the wet weather.
The first set proved particularly challenging for Raducanu. She was seen in tears on court during the opening set when the score reached 3-3. The British player was struggling with the emotional and physical strain of the match. She faced a tough situation early on, falling behind 3-1 and having to save 11 of 12 break points in what became a grueling first set.
Emma Raducanu apareceu em lágrimas durante sua partida contra Jaqueline Cristian, provavelmente devido ao desgaste emocional e físico causado por um início lento, longos ralis e condições adversas após atrasos devido à chuva. Ela superou a situação e venceu por 6/3 e 6/4. pic.twitter.com/zbdV41WHi9
— Emma Raducanu 🇧🇷 (@raducanubrasil) September 17, 2025
The rain situation at the Korea Open has caused major problems throughout the week. Multiple matches have been suspended due to the persistent downpours in Seoul. Fans have expressed concerns about whether the tournament can finish on schedule, with some wondering if the WTA can complete all matches before the China Open begins.
The weather delays have disrupted players’ rhythm and created difficult playing conditions across the tournament.
How Did Raducanu Fight Back Despite a Slow Start?
Despite her emotional breakdown and slow start, Raducanu showed great mental strength to turn the match around. After being down 3-1 in the first set and appearing close to tears, she managed to win five games in a row to take the opening set 6-3. Due to the long rallies and tough conditions, the set took one hour and seven minutes to complete.
The second set was also challenging, with Raducanu having to fight back after an emotional breakdown. However, she managed to break Cristian’s serve in the ninth game and served out the match to win 6-4. The entire match lasted two hours and two minutes.
After her victory, Raducanu showed her appreciation for the fans by personally handing out signed tennis balls. She spoke about the difficult conditions after the match, saying she was “super happy to have won” and felt like she had “played this match the last three days” due to all the delays. The British No. 1 praised her opponent, calling Cristian “really tough” and noting the “long rallies and long points” caused by the slow conditions.
Emma Raducanu hand delivered signed tennis balls to fans after her win today pic.twitter.com/5SeVxzJtlX
— 🎾nebby🎾 (@1gamesetmatch) September 17, 2025
Raducanu will face two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejčíková in the second round, marking the first meeting between these two players. The 2024 Wimbledon Champion defeated Tatiana Prozorova 6-1, 6-2 in her opening match.
