Emma Raducanu’s hopes of winning a first WTA title since 2021 were dashed on Thursday as she lost to Taylah Preston at the Hobart International.
As the number one seed in Hobart, Raducanu had a great opportunity to win her first event since capturing her maiden title at the 2021 US Open.
The British number one was unable to capitalise, losing to Preston 6-2, 6-4.
The loss represents a bitter blow for Raducanu, but she will need to bounce back quickly before the 2026 Australian Open.
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Ahead of Raducanu’s loss to Preston, the British star’s participation in another prestigious event was confirmed.
Emma Raducanu is set to play at the Queen’s Club Championships
On Wednesday afternoon, the Queen’s Club Championships confirmed Emma Raducanu’s participation for the 2026 event.
Raducanu is set to join Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, whose participation was confirmed in November 2025.
At the 2025 event, Raducanu defeated Cristina Bucsa and Rebecca Sramkova before losing to Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals: 6-2, 6-4.
Raducanu also partnered with compatriot Katie Boulter for the women’s doubles event.
‘Boulter-canu,’ as they were dubbed, reached the quarter-finals before losing to top seeds Erin Routliffe and Ljudmyla Kitschenok.
Raducanu’s injury struggles during the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships
After losing to Qinwen Zheng last June, Raducanu revealed that she had been dealing with an injury since competing at the Strasbourg Open; a tournament that took place in May.
Raducanu said: “I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it’s just been something that’s been on and off,” said Raducanu.
“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.
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“They took me off court and taped it to give me some extra stability, and some painkillers.
“It 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.”
British tennis fans will hope Raducanu can win the Queen’s Club Championships for the first time in her career when she competes at the event in June.
The last British winner of the Queen’s Club Championships Women’s Singles category was Ann Haydon-Jones, who defeated compatriot Winnie Shaw in the 1969 final.
