Emma Raducanu battled jet lag to defeat Elise Mertens in the first round of the Washington Open. This was her first match since her Wimbledon exit in the last 16. Raducanu triumphed 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 against Mertens, whom she also beat at Wimbledon. The match extended past 11 pm local time.
Raducanu chose to skip the Olympics to concentrate on her hard-court game and prepare for the US Open, which she won in 2021. Her campaign in Washington began with a challenging match against Mertens. The late-night encounter tested Raducanu’s resilience as she fought through fatigue.
Raducanu admitted that dealing with jet lag was tough. “I was playing some pretty good tennis in patches throughout, especially in the first set and moments in the third set,” she said. “I lost some focus in the second. It’s not easy playing at 11:30.”
She arrived on Thursday night and was still adjusting to the time difference. Despite this, she remained determined not to lose. “I got here Thursday night so I’m still jet-lagged,” Raducanu explained. “I was telling myself, ‘I’m not leaving. This is not happening. You’re not losing this match.'”
Raducanu emphasised her commitment during practice sessions leading up to the match. “I’ve been training and playing so good in practice,” she stated. “I’ve been really on it.” On court, she reminded herself of her hard work and dedication. “So on the court, I was telling myself: ‘You’ve been so focused for so long. There’s no way you’re not going to try right now,'” Raducanu shared. “‘You’re going to fight until the very end. You didn’t put all that work in for nothing.'”
The victory over Mertens marked a positive start for Raducanu at the Washington Open, showcasing her ability to overcome physical challenges and maintain mental toughness under pressure.
Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu expressed satisfaction with how she managed to pull through despite difficulties but acknowledged areas needing improvement. “I’m happy with how I pulled myself out of it,” she concluded, “but I do need to focus.” Raducanu’s determination and perseverance were evident as she navigated through a demanding match schedule and physical strain, setting a strong tone for her upcoming matches at the tournament.