"Just Emma Raducanu things", "If this is thriving, I'd prefer suffering" - Fans react to Brit's mid-match retirement with injury in Korea Open QF

Emma Raducanu's promising campaign at the ongoing 2024 Korea Open came to a halt after the Brit retired with a left foot injury during her quarterfinal clash against Daria Kasatkina. The mid-match retirement has sparked fresh concern among some fans, while others have ridiculed Raducanu over her inability to stay fit.

The 2024 Korea Open quarterfinal between Raducanu and Kasatkina was originally scheduled for Friday, 20 September. However, rain played spoilsport, and the match was eventually postponed to Saturday, 21 September. After it finally commenced though, the 2021 US Open champion was clearly not at her best, as she struggled with her serve and could not capitalize on break point opportunities.

Emma Raducanu, unsurprisingly, ended up losing the set 1-6. However, not long after, the Brit chose to concede the match citing a left foot injury, granting Daria Kasatkina a fairly easy passage to the semifinals of the WTA 500.

Korea Open 500 QF [1] D Kasatkina def E Raducanu 6-1 ret. byu/3axel3loop intennis

Some fans found a bit of humor in the situation despite its unfortunate nature as far as Raducanu is concerned. One also took a swipe at the Brit's recent claim that she "thrives in Asia", which several fans had criticized earlier as well.

"If this is thriving, I’d prefer suffering," wrote one fan.

Comment byu/3axel3loop from discussion intennis

"Just Raducanu things!" another fan added.

Comment byu/3axel3loop from discussion intennis

"Pretends to be shocked," commented one more fan.

"She’s injured again?" another asked.

However, there were other fans whose reactions were the exact opposite. They expressed their concern over Raducanu's injury. The Brit, since bursting onto the WTA Tour with her title triumph at the 2021 US Open, has rarely been able to play matches consistently.

Soon, after her 2023 Madrid Open withdrawal, she underwent both wrist and ankle surgeries and was only able to return at the beginning of the ongoing season.

"Rough if this foot injury persists, Emma signed up to seven tournaments over the next few weeks apparently hence the “thrive in Asia” comments and whatnot. Scheduling for this tournament has been ruined because of the rain so Dasha is probably secretly happy she didn’t have to play two full matches in a day," a fan wrote.

"This is very concerning for a player so young to be unable to stay fit," commented another.

"That sucks. Koreans adore her too," yet another fan chimed in.

There still has been no official word from Raducanu's camp regarding the rest of her participation through the Asian swing. The former World No. 10's mid-match retirement in Seoul also leaves her just a little bit short of breaking back into the top 50.

Emma Raducanu might have been a top 40 player again, had she won the 2024 Korea Open

Emma Raducanu (Source: Getty)

The injury-enforced quarterfinal finish at the Korea Open has brought Emma Raducanu on the cusp of the top 50 in the WTA Tour singles rankings; a significant rise from World No. 70, the ranking she came into the tournament with.

The 2021 US Open champion may also have become a top 40 player by the end of the tournament had she won it and other results gone her way. Ultimately though, it's yet another injury setback for the 21-year-old, even though she has so far played only a handful of tournaments this season.

As things stand, Emma Raducanu has played in 32 completed matches this year, and has a 20-12 win-loss record.