HSBC CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 13, 2025

Emma Raducanu

Queens Club

Press Conference

ZHENG Q./E. Raducanu

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Emma, obviously not the result you were hoping for, but what are your thoughts on the match today?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it was a tough match. I think Qinwen played really well and served well. You know, took one of my bigger strengths away, which is my return. That was difficult. She found some good spots when she needed to. Yeah, she played a high-level match, as well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How are you physically? What was the issue after the first set? What was done backstage treatment-wise?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it's just been something that's been on and off. 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, like, even if two were doubles, I think, yeah, it just tests it out. And I just felt it, I think, as the load goes up.

Yeah, they took me off court and taped it to give me some extra stability, and some painkillers. Yeah, that was it.

Q. On the back issue, how concerned are you? Are you a fitness doubt now for Wimbledon?

EMMA RADUCANU: Well, I don't know. Like it's been lingering for the last few weeks, and I have had, like, back issues before. I think it's just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it.

I'm not overly concerned that it's something serious, but I know it's something that's very annoying and needs proper and careful management.

Q. Are you going to able to play Berlin, Eastbourne, building up to Wimbledon, or are you maybe going to have to have a rethink about that?

EMMA RADUCANU: I don't know. I need to think about that and see how it settles and recovers over the next few hours.

Q. What was the reasoning behind playing in Berlin? Obviously it's pretty common for the British players to just play all through here. Why did you decide to go for Berlin and not Nottingham?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think, well, I got the opportunity to play a 500-level tournament and it's extremely strong. I think the cut initially was something like 20.

For me, I wanted to have exposure to the best, you know, and see how I fare up, see the ball that's kind of coming my way so that if it were to happen in a Grand Slam, I would have some sort of rough idea. I'd say that was the reason.

And I played Nottingham last year. I have great memories, but this year, I think, yeah, I wanted to try something else.

Q. You're getting quite close to the seedings at Wimbledon. How much is that kind of playing into your thinking? I guess it's going to be Berlin now is going to be your chance. How difficult is it to kind of manage those ranking goals when you're thinking of a longer-term issue like the back?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think being seeded obviously helps in Masters, helps in slams and a lot of tournaments so you're not playing one of the top players early rounds.

But, you know, I think maybe my goals have slightly shifted from being seeded to actually improving my game, and when I play those top players, making it closer and feeling more competitive rather than just feeling, okay, I maybe get to the third round of a slam but then lose comfortably to one of the top. I think I'd rather have a more competitive match, even if that means losing first round, second round, and I think that, to be honest, is how I feel right now.

Q. Physical issues aside and result aside, reflecting on the week, seems like you have found quite a bit of joy in your game this week. Is that fair to say?

EMMA RADUCANU: I had a lot of joy playing here at Queen's. I think the crowd was amazing, the support the whole way through for every match, that was really enjoyable for me. And to get some matches on the grass is very different to the clay.

To start to adapt to this surface, I think I can, yeah, take what I need from this week and move forward.

Q. You mentioned that a goal is to kind of feel the ball of top players and see how you fare up against them. How did you feel today? Did you feel like you're able to impose your game against one of the biggest ball strikers on the tour? How did you feel?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think returning is one of my big strengths, and I think Qinwen served really well. I didn't see many second serves. And she hit her spots really well in some big moments.

Yeah, credit to her. She kind of took away one of my bigger strengths. I think I have a lot of work to do, to be honest.

Q. She mentioned that she speaks to you in Chinese sometimes. Curious what your relationship is with the Chinese players and what's that like, speaking to them in Chinese?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I have known her since juniors, you know, since we were very young and we played in Orange Bowl, Under-12s. So I have seen her around for a long time.

Yeah, I guess we took very different paths to kind of get where we are. I know she's been playing tennis, you know, and focusing on that, like, however many hours a day for years, and I kind of went to school and I haven't got enough hours in the bank in comparison.

So I think I'm playing catchup now. My relationship is good. Like, we say hi and stuff, but I wouldn't say I'm close to necessarily many tennis players.

Q. How would you reflect on the way you manage those enforced breaks? She obviously swapped her shoes and changed her racquet twice. How do you reflect on those moments?

EMMA RADUCANU: I'm not sure what I can do in those moments, to be honest. I think, you know, it happened three times on my service game. I don't think it's necessarily, you know, ideal, let's say. But I think, you know, the umpire makes his call. I can't really do anything about it.

Maybe, you know, I think like the fact it happened three times on my serve, I feel like maybe something could have been done, but I'm not going to get into it.

Q. Your coaching team for next week if you are playing in Berlin, is Nick able to travel, or how's it looking?

EMMA RADUCANU: I don't know.

Q. Will Petch be there?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah.

Q. If you go to Berlin, will you do some sightseeing, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, or will you be properly on tennis now?

EMMA RADUCANU: I don't know. I feel like there is so little time, but I really try and make the most out of traveling. I have actually never been to Berlin before but I have heard a lot.

Obviously there is so much history there. I will definitely check out the sites. I have one friend from Berlin. Yeah, she will send me her recommendations.