"I was struggling with everything": Chastening experience for Emma Raducanu after crushing Qatar Open loss

Emma Raducanu paid the price for a slow start and admitted honestly that she was poor as she was dumped out of the Qatar Open at the opening hurdle by Anhelina Kalinina who will now go on to face Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.

Raducanu spoke to Sky Sports afterwards who as expected have been following the Brit mainly and she stayed for an on court interview post match after losing 6-0, 7-6 disappointingly and said she struggled with all facets of the game and even the fact that she had to play during the day.

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Emma RADUCANU easily beaten by Anhelina KALININA in Qatar Open first round

Whenever Raducanu has played since the US Open win, it has been showcourts and night sessions, but Doha didn't hand her such a draw when it came to the schedule and she had to play during the day and she admitted that could've been a factor in a combination of errors. She will not play Dubai next week either and will head home to train ahead of Indian Wells and Miami albeit like Osaka, some believe that a route down the ITF tournaments could yet be the tonic she needs.

"I think I was struggling with everything, serve, return, forehand, backhand," Raducanu told Sky Sports.

"To be honest I felt like I never really got into it. I think it was a combination of things. It's like my first day match I think I've played in a year, so that's different.

"Honestly, I think I need to practice training outside a bit more because it's very different and also the light, conditions, shadows - it's really hard to kind of see the ball, I found towards the end.

"When the tennis isn't there, you have to at least try to fight and I think I did that in the second set."

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"I never really got into it" 🗨 Emma Raducanu says she struggled, but was proud of her fight 💪

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