World No. 12 Emma Raducanu said a blister on her foot heavily affected her during a Billie Jean King Cup match versus Marketa Vondrousova that she lost 1-6 1-6.
On Friday, Raducanu won her first-ever pro clay match after beating Tereza Martincova. A day later, Raducanu got broken four times in the first set as Vondrousova easily won the opener. Vondrousova dominated the second set as well, breaking Raducanu three times to seal a straight-set win. The Brit revealed later what was the cause of her heavy defeat:
"I have a blister on my foot, it kind of showed up after yesterday’s match and we’ve been managing it but as you saw I couldn’t really move or load either way and now it’s just about trying to get it better as soon as possible."
She further said:
"It completely stopped me from moving, it’s tough to not even be able to chase the ball, even if the ball came around me I was struggling to get my feet out of the way and moving to my backhand, it was compromising every shot, it is very disappointing when you’re out there playing a rubber for your country and you feel completely redundant but I guess I can’t really do anything about it."
She finished off with:
"Of course it’s frustrating, for sure [to be hampered by physical issues in recent matches], but in some sort of twisted way it gives me a sense of confidence and relief that I don’t think it’s my tennis that’s the issue. I think my tennis level is pretty good, it’s just about being able to repeat it or maintain it or not be hampered by any kind of physical issues and as soon as I sort all these out and keep building on my tennis level then I think I will be able to put out good matches back-to-back."