Emma Raducanu Explains ‘Truly Difficult Decision’ to Skip Billie Jean King Cup Finals for Korea Open

Emma Raducanu is projected to lock horns with Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Korea Open.

Emma Raducanu Explains ‘Truly Difficult Decision’ to Skip Billie Jean King Cup Finals for Korea Open

Emma Raducanu (Image via X/Emma Raducanu Fan)

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Emma Raducanu is into the third round of the Korea Open after a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jaqueline Cristian in two hours and two minutes. Raducanu chose to play the Korea Open by skipping the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

And her decision to withdraw from the team event did not go down well with captain Anne Keothavong, who expressed her disappointment at not having the team’s top player in the team at the press conference. But Raducanu had to make a tough decision because her new full-time coach is Francisco Roig, also the former coach of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

It was a truly difficult decision. I love the BJK Cup so much, and last year, I gave it my all despite the difficult circumstances. However, the Korea Open was a crucial time for me to get in sync with my new coach, Francis. Even though it was the end of the season, I felt it was more important to work with an experienced coach ahead of the Asian swing.

Emma Raducanu said at the press conference

The Spanish coach joined the Brits’ team last month. Mark Petchey, her previous coach, had media duties that stopped him from becoming a full-time coach.

I wanted to prioritize working with him and further developing myself. Having the opportunity to develop with such an experienced coach was the main reason I decided to participate in the Asia Series, starting with this Korea Open. 

Emma Raducanu added

Raducanu is chasing her second title of her career in Seoul. She has yet to reach a final since her fairytale run at the 2021 US Open, which she clinched by defeating Leylah Fernandez.

Emma Raducanu on returning to Korea after a year

Emma Raducanu participated in the Korea Open last year, but an injury forced her to give a walkover to Daria Kasatkina in the quarterfinals. At the press conference after her opening-round win, Raducanu made her feelings known on playing the WTA 500 event once again.

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu (Image via X/Emma Raducanu Fan)

I love Korea, and I love the fans here. I love how they’re so engrossed in the game itself… It was especially wonderful that they waited late tonight, and that the spectators braved the rain just like our players.

Raducanu had skipped the tournament in 2023 because of injury problems. In 2022, she suffered a straight-set defeat to Poland’s Magda Linette in the quarterfinals.

Emma Raducanu could face Iga Swiatek at the Korea Open

If Raducanu beats her third-round opponent, Barbora Krejcikova, she could face Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. Swiatek, the top seed, will be up against Sorana Cirstea in the second round on September 18 to kick-start her campaign.

Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu
Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, We Are Tennis)

Raducanu has never met Krejcikova before. Before scheduling the clash with the 2021 US Open champion, the Czech ace breezed past Tatiana Prozorova.

But against Swiatek, the 22-year-old has never won a match in their five encounters. This season, they met twice, both in Grand Slam events. Swiatek knocked Raducanu out of the Australian Open and the French Open.

Swiatek is chasing her third title of the season. She reached her first final of the season at the Bad Homburg Open but lost that match to Jessica Pegula. But Swiatek ended Wimbledon in her favor by double-bageling Amanda Anisimova.

She continued her winning ways at the Cincinnati Masters, beating Jasmine Paolini to clinch her first tournament title. But at the US Open, Anisimova got her revenge as she knocked the six-time Grand Slam champion out in straight sets in the quarterfinals. Swiatek was scheduled to make her debut at the Korea Open last year, but her doping suspension kept her on the sidelines for three weeks.

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