Emma Raducanu Wins Eastbourne Opener Despite Personal 'Bad News'

Emma Raducanu made a resilient comeback to win her first-round match against Ann Li at the 2025 Eastbourne Open despite struggling with back spasms that had earlier forced her to withdraw from the Berlin Tennis Open. After losing the first set in a tiebreak, Raducanu turned the match around to win the next two sets decisively, securing her place in the next round where she will face Maya Joint. She was visibly emotional after the victory, breaking down in tears on court, which she later attributed to having received some 'pretty bad news' off the court, though she chose not to disclose further details. Raducanu expressed gratitude for the support of close friend and British No. 5 Fran Jones, who was present in her coaching box, and thanked the crowd for their encouragement during the physically demanding match. Despite the personal challenges and an unusual interruption by a seagull during play, Raducanu remains focused on preparing for Wimbledon and continuing her strong grass-court form. Her resilience and emotional openness have drawn admiration as she balances personal adversity with professional ambitions.