Emma Raducanu faces rankings drop after first-round loss at Indian Wells

Emma Raducanu's return to competition at Indian Wells ended in disappointment as she suffered a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima in the first round, marking her worst-ever performance at the tournament. Despite taking an early 2-0 lead, Raducanu quickly lost her momentum, ultimately resulting in her sixth defeat in seven matches. This match was her first under new coach Vlado Platenik, who will need to address her struggles, particularly her serve and second serve performance, which has been notably poor this year. Raducanu's participation came after a difficult period marked by a stalker incident in Dubai, leading her to seek extra security at the event. Although the match was a setback, commentator Naomi Broady noted positive communication signs between Raducanu and Platenik, suggesting potential for growth in their partnership. The defeat leaves Raducanu considering her next steps as she faces a potential drop in rankings and a long wait until her next match.