PERTH — Emma Raducanu's much-anticipated return to competitive tennis ended in a straight-sets defeat as Great Britain's United Cup campaign came to a premature end with a 2-1 loss to Greece in Perth. The 21-year-old, playing her first match since April after surgeries on both wrists and her right ankle, showed flashes of her trademark fight but ultimately fell 6-4, 6-4 to world No. 8 Maria Sakkari.
The result confirmed Great Britain's elimination at the group stage of the mixed-team event, finishing third in Group B behind Australia and Greece. Despite a heroic opening singles win from Cameron Norrie over Stefanos Tsitsipas, the combined efforts of Sakkari and the Greek mixed doubles pair proved too strong, dashing British hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals in Sydney.
A Gritty, Yet Rusty, Return for Raducanu
Stepping onto the court for the first time in 295 days, Raducanu received a warm reception from the Perth crowd. The 2021 US Open champion began brightly, holding her first service game with authority. However, the relentless consistency and power of Sakkari quickly exposed the inevitable rust from such a lengthy layoff. Raducanu's movement, particularly on her surgically repaired right foot, was cautiously measured.
The first set was decided by a single break of serve in the seventh game, with Sakkari capitalising on a handful of unforced errors from the Briton. Raducanu's competitive spirit was undimmed, as she saved three set points on her own serve at 5-3 down and then forced Sakkari to serve it out. The Greek, a seasoned top-10 player, held firm to take the opener 6-4.
Speaking after the match, Raducanu was philosophical, focusing on the positives of her return: "I'm very happy to be back on the court. I think for me, today was a big win just to get back out there. We're just building day by day. At the end of the day, you can't really replicate anything in practice compared to a match."
Norrie's Stunning Start Gives GB Hope
The tie had begun in spectacular fashion for Captain Tim Henman's team. Cameron Norrie produced one of his finest performances in recent memory to dismantle Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3. Norrie was dominant from the baseline, dictating play with his forehand and breaking the Tsitsipas serve three times in a commanding display that lasted just over an hour.
Norrie's victory shifted the pressure squarely onto Sakkari to keep Greece alive, a task she accomplished against Raducanu. The British number one was proud of his performance but rued the narrow margin of the overall defeat: "I played a great match against Stefanos. I executed my game plan perfectly. It's a tough one for the team to lose 2-1, but there are a lot of positives to take."
The Deciding Doubles: Experience Trumps Promise
With the tie level at 1-1, the outcome hinged on the mixed doubles rubber. Great Britain fielded the new pairing of Raducanu and Norrie, while Greece countered with the far more experienced duo of Sakkari and Tsitsipas, who reached the final of the event last year. The gulf in partnership understanding was evident from the start.
The Greek pair broke the British serve early in both sets, leveraging their superior coordination and net presence. Despite some spirited resistance and flashes of brilliant individual shot-making from the Britons, Sakkari and Tsitsipas closed out a 6-3, 6-3 victory to seal the tie for Greece. Key factors in the doubles loss included:
- First-Serve Efficiency: The Greek pair landed 78% of their first serves, allowing them to control points from the outset.
- Net Dominance: Sakkari and Tsitsipas won 15 of 18 points at the net, constantly applying pressure.
- Unforced Errors: The new British combination made 22 unforced errors, struggling to find consistent rhythm under pressure.
Looking Ahead: Raducanu's Road to Recovery
For Raducanu, the defeat is a mere footnote in the larger narrative of her comeback. The primary objectives in Perth were to test her body under match conditions and regain a competitive rhythm. On both counts, the week provided valuable data. She has entered the ASB Classic in Auckland as a wildcard, offering another opportunity to build match sharpness ahead of the Australian Open.
Her captain, Tim Henman, struck an optimistic note about her progression: "I think it was a great step forward for Emma. To play against someone of Sakkari's quality after eight months out is a big ask. But she's moving well, she's pain-free, and she's building on her practice. The trajectory is definitely going in the right direction."
The physical demands of the match were a key takeaway. Raducanu noted the specific challenge of adjusting to the footwork required at the highest level: "The foot is good. It's holding up. It's just about getting that load through it. In a match, you're reacting. You don't know where the ball is going, so there's a lot more sudden movements."
Conclusion: Positives Amid the Defeat
While Great Britain's exit from the United Cup is a disappointment, the tournament served its purpose for both key players. Cameron Norrie reaffirmed his status as a formidable force with a statement win over a top-10 opponent, providing perfect momentum for his own Australian Open campaign. For Emma Raducanu, the journey back to the top is a marathon, not a sprint.
Her 85 minutes on court against Sakkari represented the first, crucial step. The tennis world saw a competitor unbroken by her physical struggles, eager to rebuild her game. The road ahead in 2024 is long, but for the first time in nearly a year, Raducanu is back on it, with her health intact and her determination clear for all to see.