LONDON — Emma Raducanu didn’t hold back in her post-match comments after a tense encounter with Qinwen Zheng at the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham, where the British star faced boos from sections of the crowd following a disputed medical timeout. The 2021 US Open champion, still working her way back to peak form after multiple surgeries, accused Zheng of gamesmanship after the Chinese player took a lengthy break late in the second set.
Raducanu, who ultimately lost the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, saw her rhythm disrupted when Zheng called for a medical timeout at 4-4 in the second set. The pause lasted nearly 10 minutes, during which Zheng received treatment for an apparent leg issue. Upon resumption, Raducanu lost her serve, though she fought back to force a decider. The 21-year-old later questioned the legitimacy of the timeout, telling reporters, "It’s just interesting when these things happen at key moments."
Raducanu’s Frustration Boils Over
The match, played on grass in front of a partisan British crowd, turned contentious after Zheng’s medical break. Raducanu, visibly frustrated, was heard muttering to her team during the pause. When play resumed, she struggled to regain momentum, double-faulting twice in the crucial game. The crowd, initially supportive of Raducanu, grew restless, with some jeering Zheng’s return to the court. Others, however, turned on Raducanu when she appeared to glare at her opponent after a missed shot.
In her post-match press conference, Raducanu doubled down on her criticism: "I’ve never taken a medical timeout in my career unless it was absolutely necessary. It’s just part of the game now, but I don’t think it should be. When you’re in a flow and suddenly have to stop for 10 minutes, it’s tough to reset." Zheng, meanwhile, defended her actions, insisting the timeout was legitimate: "I felt a sharp pain and needed treatment. I respect Emma, but I have to look after my body."
The Crowd Reaction and Fallout
The Birmingham crowd’s mixed reaction added another layer of drama. While some fans booed Zheng’s return from the medical break, others later directed their frustration at Raducanu when she appeared to slow-play between points. Social media erupted with debate, with tennis analysts split on the incident:
- "Gamesmanship is part of tennis, but medical timeouts should be reserved for genuine issues," tweeted former British No. 1 Laura Robson.
- "Emma has every right to be annoyed. That break changed the momentum," argued commentator Catherine Whitaker.
- "Zheng didn’t break any rules. If she was hurt, she had every right to stop," countered former player Mark Petchey.
Raducanu’s Road Ahead
Despite the loss, Raducanu showed flashes of the form that propelled her to US Open glory in 2021. Her movement on grass, a surface she has openly admitted is not her favorite, looked sharper than in recent months. However, her serve remains a work in progress—she hit eight double faults, including two in the final set’s decisive break. "I’m getting there," she said. "It’s a process, and days like this are part of it. I’ll learn and move on."
Zheng’s Response
Zheng, who advances to the quarterfinals, brushed off the controversy in her own press conference. "I don’t control the crowd. I just focus on my game," she said. "Emma is a great player, and we had a tough match. That’s tennis." The 21-year-old, ranked No. 8 in the world, has been one of the tour’s most consistent performers this season and is considered a dark horse for Wimbledon.
Raducanu, now ranked No. 165, will turn her attention to Eastbourne, where she has accepted a wildcard. A strong showing there could earn her a seeded position at Wimbledon, where she remains a crowd favorite despite her recent struggles. "I love playing at home," she said. "The support means everything, even when it’s not always perfect."
The Bigger Picture
The incident highlights the ongoing debate around medical timeouts in tennis. While the rules allow players to request treatment for legitimate injuries, critics argue the system is often exploited to disrupt opponents’ momentum. The WTA has previously fined players for misuse of medical breaks, though such penalties are rare. Raducanu’s comments may reignite calls for stricter enforcement or revised regulations.
For now, the focus shifts to Raducanu’s next steps. With Wimbledon looming, the British star will hope to put the controversy behind her. "I’m just focused on improving every day," she said. "The wins will come if I keep working. Today wasn’t my day, but there’s a lot more to come."