Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open campaign came to a grinding halt on Wednesday morning when she was beaten by Anastasia Potapova in the second round.
Raducanu, the British number one, struggled to impose her will against the Austrian player, eventually losing the contest 7-6, 6-2.
It was a disappointing performance by the British number one, who was widely expected to defeat her lower-ranked opponent.
After the contest, Raducanu updated tennis fans on the status of her foot injury; an issue that has plagued the British star since the 2025 off-season.
Emma Raducanu won her first Grand Slam too soon – Prove me wrong!
Emma Raducanu provides an injury update
At the start of 2026, Raducanu was forced to miss her first scheduled match against Naomi Osaka at the United Cup, due to a foot injury she had been dealing with during the tennis off-season.
Raducanu has played five matches since, winning two of those contests.
After losing to Potapova on Wednesday, the 23-year-old reflected on her busy start to the season, and how the intensity has affected her injury.
Yeah, it’s been a steep ramp-up. I’ve been managing it each day,” she said.
“It’s not 100%, but I’ve made peace with that. It will be good to kind of get everything rechecked once this is — well, now it’s over — and just see how it is and whether I need to offload it a little bit or not.
“Physically I think I’ve actually improved in the last few weeks, even if I’ve been playing more and my load has gone up, which is a positive.
“Considering how it was going at the end of last year, I really didn’t know if I was going to come to Australia. So to be feeling this way after five matches physically, it’s a positive.”
One can hope that Raducanu is fit enough to participate in her next event, which is set to take place next month.
As for Anastasia Potapova, the world number 55 has set up a clash against world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Zhuoxuan Bai earlier on Wednesday.
Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, has won both of her two matches against the Austrian: at the 2023 Stuttgart Open and 2025 Italian Open.
What is next for Emma Raducanu?
At the start of February, Raducanu will travel to Romania to take part in the Transylvania Open.
The WTA 250 event, taking place on hard courts in Cluj, Romania, will run from February 1 to 7.
What does Emma Raducanu need to improve in 2026?
Anastasia Potapova, Raducanu’s Australian Open conqueror, is also set to compete at the event.
Other notable names include former Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic, Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Sorana Cirstea; who is set to retire from her playing career following the 2026 tennis season.
Returning to Raducanu, the 23-year-old is also set to compete in the Queen’s Club Championships later this year.
