Emma Raducanu came so close to winning the Queen’s Club title yesterday, but was unable to quell the incredible form of Donna Vekic.
Having stormed through the draw, handily beating Katie Boulter en route to the final, it was expected that the Croatian would pose a huge threat.
However, few could have expected her to be so dominant, completely silencing Emma Raducanu despite what wasn’t even a poor first-set performance from the Brit.
Tim Henman, reacting to this final, has addressed that tough start for Raducanu, whilst also pointing out what he noticed about her body language that interested him.
Tim Henman hopes Emma Raducanu sticks with Andrew Richardson
Speaking to Sky Sports, the pundit, who also lost in a Queen’s final during his playing days, was pleased with what he saw from the 2021 US Open champion.
“Yeah, very encouraged,” he began. “It hasn’t been an easy last sort of few months for Raducanu. She only played a couple of matches on clay and lost both of those.
How far do you think Emma Raducanu will go at Wimbledon after watching her at Queen’s?
“So, you know, this was a really important opportunity coming back home, playing on grass, a surface she’s much more comfortable and familiar with, and you know, add to that, having spent a bit of time with her coach, Andrew Richardson.
“I think it was pretty clear to see she was in great spirits on the court. She looked like her body language was very positive, and she was playing some great tennis, so so much upside from this week.”
Then, touching on Raducanu’s appointment of Andrew Richardson and the early signs of success, he continued: ”I think it’s great that Andrew Richardson is back in her corner.
“Obviously, he’s known her for many, many years, a long time prior to their success at the US Open, and to have him back working with Emma, and you can hear his input from the side of the court; he was a good player himself, a very good coach.
“Fingers crossed Emma will stick with it. I think consistency and continuity is something that’s been missing for a number of years, and I really hope that Andrew, you know, gets the chance to keep building, because this really is the first real opportunity.”
Raducanu has seen a key rankings boost following this run, which could stand her in good stead for Wimbledon.
Emma Raducanu was so close to breaking a 57-year British record at Queen’s
Whilst losing any final is frustrating, to do it at one of the few home events that Raducanu gets to play will have stung even more.
Not to mention that, had she claimed the title, it would have seen her break a 57-year British record.
After all, with Queen’s having reinstated the WTA event only last year after 50 years of it being just for the men, there hasn’t really been ample opportunity for women to win the title.
The last British woman to do so was Ann Haydon-Jones in 1969, 57 years on from yesterday’s final, where Raducanu could have usurped that record.
Tim Henman rates Emma Raducanu’s performance in the Queen’s final
Continuing, Henman then gave his honest assessment of Raducanu’s loss.
He began by admitting: ”Yeah, look, it was a pretty rough first set, wasn’t it for Emma. She lost it 6-0, but such is her spirit, she started the second set in fine form, and then up a double break and serving for the set twice, had set points on a serve at 5-4.
Where do you think Emma Raducanu will finish 2026 ranked?
“She’ll be disappointed she didn’t get it into a third set, but you know, Vekic is a Wimbledon semifinalist. She’s won titles on grass before, she’s a quality player.”
Henman did see the positives, despite Raducanu admitting she felt bad after her runners-up speech.
He added: “When you reflect on the quality of the match, it was some brilliant tennis, and you know, in sport, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and I think this has been such a positive week to have Emma back competing, winning matches, playing that controlled aggressive tennis that we’ve seen in the past.”
