Emma Raducanu Reflects on Queen’s Club Quarter-Final Loss to Zheng: “I Need to Raise My Level”
British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu faced a reality check at the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships as she exited the tournament in the quarter-finals following a 6-2, 6-4 defeat to China’s Qinwen ZhengC, the world No. 5. In front of a supportive London crowd, Raducanu showed flashes of brilliance but was ultimately outpowered by a more consistent and physically commanding opponent.
Speaking after the match, Raducanu admitted she was “not too pleased” with her performance, citing both fatigue and a niggling back issue as factors. Despite her disappointment, the 21-year-old maintained that the back injury was not serious, offering fans reassurance as she continues her 2025 comeback journey ahead of Wimbledon.
A Challenging Match Against a Rising Star
Emma Raducanu entered the Queen’s Club Championships riding the momentum of a busy schedule, having played five matches in just over a week, including appearances in both singles and doubles. After a strong early showing in the tournament, expectations were high as she prepared to face Qinwen Zheng, one of the WTA’s rising stars and a top-five player known for her powerful baseline game.
The match started unfavorably for Raducanu. Zheng took the first set 6-2 with a combination of heavy hitting and deep, controlled strokes that pushed Raducanu on the defensive. Though the Brit managed a double break early in the second set—surging to a 3-0 lead—her momentum waned as Zheng regained control and reeled off six of the next seven games to seal victory in straight sets.
Emma Raducanu's impressive run at Queen's comes to an end after being beaten in the quarter-finals by top seed Qinwen Zheng ❌ pic.twitter.com/1yq2cF05bL
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) June 13, 2025
Emma Raducanu's Medical Timeout Raises Concern
One of the more concerning moments came midway through the second set when Raducanu called for a medical timeout due to a back issue. Though she returned to the court and broke Zheng’s serve immediately after, the discomfort seemed to affect her mobility and consistency as the match progressed.
Speaking to the BBC following her defeat, Raducanu acknowledged the physical strain she had been under:
“I’ve played five matches in a pretty short amount of time. I’m probably feeling that, so I need to let the back rest and see how it goes from there.”
Despite the interruption, Raducanu tried to stay aggressive, but Zheng’s controlled power and superior fitness level eventually tipped the scales.
Emma Raducanu's Injury Not Serious, But Needs Monitoring
Understandably, questions about Raducanu’s fitness emerged once again. Her young career has already been marred by multiple injuries, including surgeries that sidelined her for large parts of 2023 and early 2024.
However, she quickly calmed fears of a serious setback:
“I’m not overly concerned that (the back issue) is something serious, but I know it’s something that’s very annoying and needs proper and careful management.”
This statement is crucial for her Wimbledon preparations. While Raducanu has shown signs of progress, the risk of injury recurrence is a lingering concern—particularly on the physically demanding grass courts.
Off-court medical time out for Emma Raducanu.
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) June 13, 2025
Issue unclear, perhaps lower back or thigh.
Qinwen Zheng won first set 6-2. pic.twitter.com/vSGWHAOCu3
A Candid Self-Assessment
One of the more striking aspects of Raducanu’s post-match comments was her honest self-evaluation. She acknowledged that while she has made significant strides since returning to the tour, there remains a considerable gap between her and the game’s elite.
“I’ve improved a lot and done a lot of good work behind the scenes, but there’s a lot to go to get to the next level. They are stronger than me and have had more time training – I need to do the same. I need to raise my level.”
This humility and self-awareness have become a hallmark of Raducanu’s evolution. No longer the unknown teenager who shocked the world by winning the 2021 US Open, she is now a seasoned professional who understands the grind and discipline required to compete consistently at the top level.
Zheng d. Emma Raducanu 6-2 6-4 in Queens
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 13, 2025
Down 2-4 in the 2nd set, Qinwen takes down the home crowd favorite.
✅1st grass court SF
One of the best athletes in the game is starting to show what she can do on the green.
🇨🇳♥️ pic.twitter.com/AjK1vjg7im
Doubles Duties and the Cost of a Packed Schedule
Raducanu’s return to regular match play has been part of a carefully constructed plan to rebuild match fitness and court confidence. At Queen’s, she took on extra responsibility by also competing in doubles alongside fellow Brit Katie Boulter. While these matches helped sharpen her reflexes and net play, they may have contributed to the physical strain she experienced.
The schedule appears to have been slightly too ambitious, especially as she continues to build up her post-injury resilience. That said, Raducanu’s willingness to test herself in different formats reflects her desire to accelerate her development and re-establish herself as a WTA mainstay.
Raducanu’s Progress in 2025 So Far
2025 has seen a noticeable resurgence in Raducanu’s form and confidence. After undergoing multiple surgeries and a period of rehabilitation, she returned to the tour with a renewed mindset and a new team focused on long-term success.
She has since:
- Reached the quarter-finals or better at multiple WTA 250 events
- Scored wins over top-30 players
- Improved her fitness and rally endurance
- Balanced her schedule to minimize injury risk
Although she has yet to fully replicate the level that led her to Grand Slam glory, her development has been trending upward.
Olympic champ Zheng Qinwen defeats former US Open champ Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-4 from a double break down in the 2nd set to reach her first career grass semifinal at the Queen’s Club WTA 500. pic.twitter.com/Xmh6dBBMKm
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 13, 2025
Next Stop: Berlin’s German Open, Then Wimbledon
Raducanu is now expected to compete at the German Open in Berlin, a WTA 500 tournament that serves as one of the final grass-court warm-up events before Wimbledon 2025. The competition will be stiffer, with many of the world’s top-ranked players scheduled to participate.
The Berlin event will be a crucial test of her physical condition, especially in the context of the recent back discomfort. If she can manage her workload and get a few quality wins under her belt, she will head into Wimbledon with growing confidence and match sharpness.
Her participation at Wimbledon is one of the most anticipated storylines of the tournament, particularly among British fans who remember her 2021 fairytale run.
The Bigger Picture: Steady Growth Over Sudden Glory
While a quarter-final loss at Queen’s may seem like a setback, for Emma Raducanu, it represents another step in the right direction. She is putting in the work, gaining valuable court time, and identifying where improvements are needed. This steady, incremental growth may be more sustainable than the rapid rise she experienced in 2021.
Raducanu’s candid admission that she needs to “raise her level” reflects a professional mindset. She is no longer chasing the spotlight—she is building the foundation for a long and successful career.
