'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAJeJDZ//xAAlEAACAQIEBgMAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIEBQARFCEGExUiIzEyQWH/2gAIAQEAAT8A4mtqbE+xoZFdWtdn6gAYcvvZnOQ29/H7zwbXrzrFVlZTLqPLFEHExUJbiI/Bj//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAAIS/9oACAECAQE/AGMsojE//8QAGxEAAQQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgABBBEDBRP/2gAIAQMBAT8A1ETDKY+w3S//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Emma Raducanu's performance in her second-round loss to Ons Jabeur at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open on Wednesday (February 7) left some tennis fans dismayed.
After an eight-month hiatus due to injuries and surgeries on her right ankle and both wrists, Raducanu made her return to the court at the start of 2024. She has participated in three tournaments so far this season — the ASB Classic, the Australian Open, and the Abu Dhabi Open.
The Brit has played six matches but won only three of them, losing in the second round of all three tournaments. In Abu Dhabi, Jabeur dominated Raducanu, winning 6-4, 6-1 in one hour and 18 minutes.
Tennis fans were disheartened by Raducanu's performance against Jabeur, and they turned to social media to express their opinions. One fan suggested the 21-year-old didn't put in enough effort towards the end of the match.
"She completely gave up at the end. It felt like she could reach that last ball, but she didn't even try," the fan posted on Reddit.
Another fan felt that Raducanu's performance was at odds with her desire to rediscover her love for tennis.
"I can't equate the Emma that was talking about rediscovering her love and passion for tennis in press conferences with the Emma that lets her head drop so easily when she's losing in the second set. Assuming there weren't any physical issues, she was clearly way more listless and demotivated than the start," the fan posted.
Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:
Emma Raducanu: "It’s frustrating that the last couple of years haven’t been how I’ve wanted"
At a press conference prior to the start of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open, Emma Raducanu had said that an improvement in her playing level, both during practice and in matches, would be a significant achievement for her.
The former US Open champion further conveyed her desire to secure another title, regardless of its level.
“For me, success would be seeing my level improving in practice first and then in matches. I know that when my level will be there, putting it into a match will take some time to apply. But I know that seeing the level increase, that results will follow. Also, I would love to win a title of any grade,” Emma Raducanu said.
Raducanu also said it had been a couple of frustrating years for her, given the decline in her performances after the 2021 US Open win. However, she went on to express happiness at returning to the tennis court.
“In a way, it’s frustrating that the last couple of years haven’t been how I’ve wanted, but I think we take a lesson from everything, and now is the time to start that work, and I’m really enjoying it,” she added.
