British tennis star Emma Raducanu was forced to retire from her first-round match at the Wuhan Open 2025 after suffering from heat exhaustion, marking a disappointing exit from the tournament and raising fresh concerns over player safety amid extreme weather conditions. The 22-year-old, ranked world No. 30, was trailing 6-1, 4-1 against American Ann Li when she called for a medical timeout and subsequently withdrew from the match.
Heat and Humidity Take a Toll on Players
Raducanu’s retirement came on a day when temperatures in Wuhan soared to 34°C with high humidity, prompting the suspension of play on all outdoor courts the previous day. During the match, Raducanu appeared visibly fatigued and sluggish, struggling with movement and shot execution. Her blood pressure and body temperature were checked during the medical timeout, and the WTA later confirmed that dizziness was the primary reason for her withdrawal..
Raducanu had started the match strongly, breaking Li’s serve in the opening game. However, she quickly lost momentum, dropping six consecutive games and winning only seven points in the remainder of the first set. In the second set, she held serve once before losing four straight games, after which she requested medical attention and retired.
Match Summary: Raducanu vs Ann Li
| Set | Raducanu Score | Ann Li Score | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Set | 1 | 6 | Li wins six straight games |
| Second Set | 1 | 4 | Raducanu retires after medical timeout |
Raducanu’s Asian Swing Struggles
The Wuhan Open was part of Raducanu’s packed Asian swing, which included tournaments in Seoul, Beijing, and Ningbo. Her performance across the swing has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 win-loss record and two matches lost after squandering match points. She had hoped to use this phase to build chemistry with new coach Francisco Roig, formerly associated with Rafael Nadal, but the results have not met expectations.
Emma Raducanu’s Asian Swing Performance (2025)
| Tournament | Opponent | Result | Match Points Missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Barbora Krejcikova | Lost | 3 |
| Beijing | Jessica Pegula | Lost | 3 |
| Wuhan | Ann Li | Retired | — |
Extreme Conditions Affecting Multiple Tournaments
Raducanu’s retirement is not an isolated incident. At the Shanghai Masters, men’s world No. 2 Jannik Sinner retired due to cramping, while Novak Djokovic vomited during his match against Yannick Hanfmann. These incidents have prompted the ATP and WTA to consider implementing formal heat rules to protect players from extreme conditions.
Recent Heat-Related Incidents in Asian Tennis Circuit
| Player | Tournament | Incident Description |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Raducanu | Wuhan Open | Retired due to dizziness and heat |
| Jannik Sinner | Shanghai Masters | Retired due to cramping |
| Novak Djokovic | Shanghai Masters | Vomited during match |
Ann Li Advances to Second Round
Ann Li, ranked world No. 46, expressed concern for Raducanu after the match. “Hopefully, she recovers quickly. You could tell toward the end she wasn’t moving as much,” Li said. She will now face Russian ninth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round, who defeated Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-2.
Disclaimer: This news content is based on verified match reports, player statements, and tournament updates as of October 9, 2025. It is intended for editorial use and public awareness. The information does not constitute medical advice or player endorsement and adheres to ethical journalism standards.
