Emma Raducanu produced some of her best tennis to reach the Queen’s Club final last week.
Raducanu defeated Anna Blinkova, Sorana Cirstea, Kamilla Rakhimova and Iva Jovic to book her place in just a second final since winning the 2021 US Open.
Unfortunately for British tennis fans, Raducanu was unable to emerge triumphant in West London, losing 6-0, 7-6 to lucky loser Donna Vekic in the Queen’s final.
How far do you think Emma Raducanu will go at Wimbledon after watching her at Queen’s?
After a difficult start to 2026, Raducanu appears to have located her best form; and she will now set her sights on the Eastbourne Open after withdrawing from the Nottingham Open.
Steve Johnson was left impressed by Raducanu’s performances in the London, but also bewildered by the British star’s form.
Steve Johnson left baffled by Emma Raducanu’s form on the WTA Tour
“I feel like there has been a lot of pressure on her, but it just doesn’t make sense,” Johnson stated on the Nothing Major Show while in discussion with Sam Querrey and John Isner.
“She is so good. I don’t know if the body just does not hold up to the expectations or the pressure because she just does not seem to play enough.
“She will have a big result like this and then you won’t see her name for two months, which is a bummer.
“Grass should be a good surface for her. Queen’s did an amazing job, the crowds were insane.
Emma Raducanu’s Queen’s Club campaign
- First round: defeated Anna Blinkova 6-0, 6-3
- Second round: defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-2
- Quarter-finals: defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 7-5
- Semi-finals: defeated Iva Jovic 6-2, 6-2
- Final: lost to Donna Vekic, 6-0, 7-6
“But for her I think this is only her second final since that 2021 US Open, which is crazy in itself.
“Vekic played awesome. You lose in qualifying and then you get that second life and she made the most of it.”
Raducanu began the season on a positive note, enjoying mixed success in Australia before reaching the final of the Transylvania Open.
She then won one of her next three matches, before missing two months of play to deal with a persistent viral illness.
The Briton then returned in May, losing two consecutive matches at the Strasbourg Open and Roland Garros.
As noted already, Raducanu then reached her third career final at the Queen’s Club.
‘’A special week. Thank you London,” Raducanu said in an Instagram post
“Thank you Queens, all of your support & the atmosphere this week at home meant everything to me. It hurts but it’s just more fuel.
“To my team too, all your resilience and efforts to get me here.”
How do you feel about Dan Evans not being handed a wildcard for Queen’s? 🤔
Emma Raducanu deserves praise
Raducanu is one of the most heavily-scrutinised players on the professional circuit.
The 23-year-old is constantly in the limelight and – at times – appears to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Yet, despite all the pressure, she continues to prove to her doubters why she is a Grand Slam champion and a former top 10 player.
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Raducanu has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the past few years, despite her young age; demonstrating a level of maturity way beyond her years.
This trait will serve Raducanu well moving forwards, particularly on the grass courts that she seems to perform so well on.
