Emma Raducanu entered the iconic clubhouse at the Queen’s Club, heading towards the stadium court with a broad smile. This moment marked another significant final in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, showcasing some of the finest tennis she has played. It appeared poised to be a remarkable day in her career.
However, that smile quickly faded as she faced a relentless display from Croatia’s Donna Vekic, a lucky loser who delivered an inspired performance to secure the biggest title of her career, defeating Raducanu 6-0, 7-6 (6) in the championship match.
Despite a challenging beginning, the British player created several opportunities to force a deciding set, aiming to claim a second title following her stunning US Open victory in 2021.
Ranked No 42 in the world, Raducanu fought valiantly, taking a 5-2 lead in the second set and holding two set points while serving at 5-4. However, she struggled to seize the crucial moments and was left disappointed at her failure to extend the match.
“I haven’t really played much this season, but to think I have made two finals so far, which I haven’t done in years, it has to be celebrated. It’s a good achievement for me and I’m proud of it,” said Raducanu. “Right now it obviously really stings, so I’m just going let myself feel it today but try to get over it pretty quick.”
Her performances throughout the week marked a significant improvement. After a post-viral illness sidelined her for two months, Raducanu had not won a match since March. She found her rhythm again, showcasing excellent play throughout the tournament. The next challenge for her is to maintain consistent performance and remain healthy to regularly place herself in these positions.
“I think I have been training well the last months,” Raducanu stated. “I have been doing the same thing every day. On the clay, I just didn’t have the results, but I was applying myself the best I possibly could each day. Even when I didn’t necessarily feel like it, even when I felt down about the results, I kept showing up. It was great to see the result of that this week.”
Despite her loss in qualifying and a current ranking of No 76, Vekic is a formidable competitor, particularly on grass. The 29-year-old reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2024, narrowly missing the final, and later earned an Olympic singles silver medal in Paris. Achieving a career-high ranking of No 17 last year, Vekic’s victory in a WTA 500 event is unsurprising given her caliber.
Her journey to the title further illustrates the unpredictable nature of tennis. Vekic lost her final qualifying match in straight sets to Anna Blinkova, who was then overpowered 6-0, 6-3 by Raducanu in the first round.
Vekic had felt unwell over the weekend, wishing not to be called in as a lucky loser after her loss to Blinkova. She depended on antibiotics to navigate the early rounds but began to play freely starting from the semi-finals, defeating Katie Boulter and Raducanu in successive days.
“I was just really grateful that I had another opportunity to play,” she expressed.
When at her best, Vekic ranks among the top servers in the sport and is known for her powerful, flat shots. She struck the ball with remarkable precision from both sides, particularly showcasing her exceptional two-handed backhand, remaining unassailable when serving.
Raducanu reached the final following a dramatic Saturday, where she won two matches, including a semi-final against world No 19, Iva Jovic. She overcame a thigh injury sustained during her first match. The weight of fatigue, physical discomfort, and pressure complicated her efforts to counter Vekic’s impressive play. Raducanu struggled with the speed of Vekic’s shots and her own serve faltered, which had been a key to her success throughout the week.
Nevertheless, Raducanu fought tenaciously and should have contended for a final set. After failing to serve out the second set while leading 5-2, she earned two set points at 5-4. On the second, a solid first serve set up an easy forehand right at the net, but instead of finishing, she attempted to wrongfoot Vekic, who expertly lobbed a backhand over her head. Down 5-6, Raducanu heroically saved three match points on her serve to force a tiebreak, but Vekic regained control of the baseline and held her nerve to complete an inspiring comeback from her sickbed to her most significant title.
