The Briton lost to Donna Vekic; her 2021 US Open triumph remains her only tournament victory.
Nearly five years after her sensational triumph at the US Open, Britain’s tennis star Emma Raducanu must continue to wait for her second tournament victory on the WTA Tour. The 23-year-old lost 0-6, 6-7 to Donna Vekic at London’s Queen’s Club in her second final appearance since that life-changing September 11, 2021, after a disastrous start.
Raducanu Awaits Second Tournament Victory
The Croatian thus succeeded last year’s surprise winner Tatjana Maria, who had been eliminated in the round of 16 by former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.
Raducanu’s star rose five years ago. As a qualifier, she sensationally won the US Open. Tennis-loving Britain was at her feet, and Raducanu secured lucrative sponsorship deals. However, sustained success failed to materialize; she only reached the second week of a Grand Slam tournament once, at Wimbledon 2024 (round of 16). She always lost patience quickly with her coaches, one of whom was Angelique Kerber’s longtime successful coach Torben Beltz.
In 2026, too, strong tournament performances alternated with major disappointments. As early as February, she had reached the final in Cluj-Napoca, but lost without a chance against the Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Raducanu was eliminated early at the Australian Open (second round) and the French Open (first round). At the grass-court highlight Wimbledon (June 29 to July 12), she now has another chance to reach a Major quarterfinal for only the second time.
