Emma Raducanu beaten by top seed Qinwen Zheng in Queen's Club quarter-final - 'I think I have a lot of work to do'
Published 13/06/2025 at 21:33 GMT+1
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It was a disappointing day for Britain's Emma Raducanu, who was knocked out of Queen's at the quarter-final stage by top seed Qinwen Zheng. Raducanu later admitted that she has "a lot of work to do", and gave an update on the back problem that has plagued her in recent weeks, with Wimbledon now looming on the horizon. "It's just a vulnerability of mine," she said.
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Emma Raducanu said she has "a lot of work to do" after losing in straight sets to Qinwen Zheng at Queen's.
The Brit was the clear underdog going into the quarter-final in London against the tournament's No. 1 seed, who came through with a convincing 6-2 6-4 victory.
And Raducanu admitted in her post-match interview that there is room for improvement ahead of Wimbledon next month.
"I think it was a tough match," the 22-year-old said. "I think Qinwen played really well and served well, you know, took one of my bigger strengths away, which is my return.
"I think I have a lot of work to do, to be honest."
Raducanu also discussed the back injury which has hindered her in recent weeks.
"I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it's just been something that's been on and off," she said.
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"I have been managing it pretty well over the last few weeks, but I guess as the week goes on and I have played five matches now, even if two were doubles, I think it just tests it out. And I just felt it as the load goes up.
"They took me off court and taped it to give me some extra stability, and some painkillers.
"[The back] has been lingering for the last few weeks and I have had back issues before. It's just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it."
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Raducanu was backed by a supportive crowd in the quarter-final, while Zheng felt the ire of the spectators after changing her racquet midway through her opponent's first service game.
Zheng also changed her shoes mid-game before breaking Raducanu's serve for the first time in the match, and that proved a turning point in the opening set.
Raducanu could do little to trouble Zheng's powerful serve, and having been broken quickly saw the first set slip away.
She needed medical treatment in the break between sets, requiring tape from her physio to alleviate the aforementioned back problem.
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The second set began promisingly for Raducanu, seemingly reinvigorated by the interval. She broke Zheng's serve, held her own, and then broke again to lead 3-0 amid shouts of delight from the crowd.
But it was only a momentary revival, as Zheng proved her title credentials by winning the next two games and forcing her way back into the set.
Zheng's power began to prove too much for a tiring Raducanu, and the set swung in the Chinese player's direction.
She broke twice more and secured victory to leave the majority at Andy Murray Arena disappointed.
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