MUBADALA CITI DC OPEN

July 25, 2025

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

E. RADUCANU/M. Sakkari

6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Congrats. You're through to the semis. Your thoughts on the match.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I'm really pleased to have come through that match. Maria, she actually is playing amazing tennis. She's finding form. I think the conditions really suit her.

So I'm just really pleased with how I toughed it out and I fought through that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Well played. Must have been tough. How tough was it in relation to anything else you have experienced in heat? Were you near to not being able to continue?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think I would like to say I'm pretty good in the heat, for the most part, but I was really struggling today. And I think also the fact that Maria, she was so fresh, she was out of the chair before the time was out, is just a testament to how fit she is, which was pretty incredible.

Yeah, it was one of the toughest matches conditions-wise I have ever played in. I don't know. Those points in the second set, I was getting a bit wobbly (smiling). Yeah, I'm just happy I could close it out and it was two sets.

Q. I know you have loftier goals still ahead of you, but your first semifinal of the year, been a while since you reached a semi of this tournament size. Is that a significant benchmark for you? Is that noteworthy for yourself?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think it is a big benchmark. I think also the quality of opponents I have played in the last three rounds, I have played three great matches to be here in the semifinals, and it is the first semis in a long time.

So I'm really proud of that and just happy that all the hard work I have been doing is starting to pay off.

Q. So how are you feeling going into a doubles match later today?

EMMA RADUCANU: I feel tired, really tired (smiling).

Q. What would it mean to you to get to the final with a partner you have never played with before?

EMMA RADUCANU: I mean, me and Elena, like, we have been playing really good doubles together, and, you know, working on our chemistry on the court. I think yesterday's match was a really good one. I think we were a lot more cohesive in the way that we were playing.

But yeah, I think we have just been enjoying it as much as we can.

Q. You said you were a little wobbly. You won the last five games of the match. How did you do that?

EMMA RADUCANU: I don't know. I think you get to a point where you're so tired that you don't really know what you're doing anymore, and I think maybe that helped.

You know, I just really had to be smooth and conserve energy. It meant that I was really fluid, I think, in the way I was serving, because you're just so zoned in, and you know you can't waste any energy on negative emotions or even positive ones. You just have to really be so focused.

So I think that actually maybe helped me, and I was also thinking if this goes to three sets, I don't know how I'm going to do it (smiling). So just happy I toughed it out.

Q. Continuing on the conversation of a recent run to the semis like you have done here, I would imagine it's a journey of rediscovering things, readjusting since the breakout US Open win in 2021. Since your last semifinal, what would you say is the most improved part of your game since late '22? And compare that to where you are right now. What would be the differences in how you have improved in your game?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think actually a big difference. I think 2022, the last semis I made in Seoul, the quality of opponents I have just beaten here is a lot higher, and I think also the way the tournament has moved on, every match is a lot more difficult. I'd say it's a completely different era of tennis, and I'm playing a lot better to try and match that.

I think the areas I have improved I think, one, my competitiveness. I think that's one of my bigger strengths when I am focused and in the zone. And I think that's something I found a lot more from, you know, March this year. I think I have been a lot more focused and competitive for each point and not being flat or defeated.

And then I think the other thing, I think my serve has improved. Like, the last few matches I have been getting a lot more free points. And I know, like, whenever I have played well or had great results, that's been working really well.

Then also I think just movement of my defensive skills have probably been the biggest improvement. I think I'm able to kind of dig out some points and stay in the points and use a bit more hand skills, slice, get an extra ball back.

I think it tends, not every point, but some really important moments, it can help. I think that has improved the most.

Q. A follow-up question about the culture and what keeps you coming back here to Washington. A lot of your best results have been here. Is there a particular tie to the tournament that makes you come back and showcase your best tennis? What is it that's special about Washington, D.C., to you?

EMMA RADUCANU: Well, one, the city is incredible. I love it so much. It's always a place I have felt instantly connected to. I love the nature aspect of it. I love Georgetown, the European feel, and also Mark Ein, the tournament owner. He does a great job for the players.

I have known him for many years now, and he goes above and beyond for all of us to make sure that we are comfortable and everything is right. Yeah, that helps.

Q. Can you compare the heat here to whatever everyone was saying was so hot at Wimbledon this year?

EMMA RADUCANU: Different level. Different level (smiling).

I think the humidity here, as well, it just makes it feel completely like you have just opened an oven and it just stayed open and your head is in there. That's how it feels.

Wimbledon, it gets hot in England, but it's a drier heat, not quite the same sweating. Today, even in the match warmup, you just go outside and you're sweating.

Honestly, it's even hotter watching, I think, because you're sat and you don't create any movement and wind and flowing. A credit to everyone, yeah, and much appreciated to getting out here and watching.

Q. For your doubles, are you sure you're going to take court with the conditions and exhaustion and having another match ahead tomorrow?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I'm not feeling the best right now, so I just need to go and speak to the doctors.

Q. Following up on what you talked about yesterday too, as well as today, working back after you have had success at such a young age and early in your career with the US Open, what does it take to kind of reshape mentally after that, after the surgeries, and come back to work to where you are now?

EMMA RADUCANU: Good question. I think it takes hitting rock bottom to realize how you really want to do things moving forward, reaching that point where you don't know if you're going to continue. I think that's what it takes.

I think you need to really, you know, dig deep when you're on your own with your thoughts, and really realize, okay, I don't want to do it anymore like this. I think that probably it helps reshape how you do things going forward.

Q. I know your doubles play in general has been somewhat limited on tour. I'm wondering, with the possibility of playing a second match tonight and coming back tomorrow, have you done that at this late of a stage of a tournament? Could you think about how you would have felt or done the next day?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think playing doubles last night definitely, it was tough to turn it around so fast, being first on today. It does take a bit out of you physically, but I think also the joy that you get from playing and winning a match, you get confidence from it.

But after today, I think the conditions are, like, even more challenging. Really, really hot. And especially with the way I was feeling out there in the second set, like, I don't know if, yeah, it's recommended, like, from everyone off the court to play it. So I need to just go and speak.

Q. A question about your opponent today, Maria Sakkari. You developed something of a rivalry. You have dominated that head-to-head. What are the positives of developing a rivalry where you're kind of dominating the opponent? If you can think of any, what might be some of the drawbacks of having an edge over an opponent like that?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, today I think she actually played a really good match. I think her level has been really high the first two rounds and also today.

I think when you have such a good record against someone, I don't know, you feel like every time in your head it's like, hey, I have done well in the past, but I want to do well now against her.

As an athlete, you're never really satisfied. Even if you're 3-Love up, you're like, this is the one that matters, because the ones in the past have gone. But at the same time, I know how it feels if you have a losing record against someone, then it is very difficult to kind of turn that around.

I think certain matchups, it's a game of matchups, and certain ones just suit others better, but I think with her level today, I wasn't really sure if I was going to win. I thought she was playing really well from the start to the finish, so it didn't seem like it affected her too much.