Emma Raducanu did her best to keep a positive spirit after a heartbreaking Billie Jean King Cup Finals exit as the 2021 US Open champion was pleased that she was able to pick up a series of wins ahead of the 2025 season.
On Tuesday, the British tennis star saw off Slovakia's Viktorija Hruncakova 6-4 6-4 to put her nation up early in their semifinal tie in Malaga. For the former world No. 10, it was her third consecutive straight-set win at the BJK Cup Finals, having previously also handled Jule Niemeier and Rebecca Marino in straight sets.
Since the British side were considered the favorites to overcome Slovakia, Raducanu's opening win absolutely put Great Britain in pole position. But then, Katie Boulter got upset by Rebecca Sramkova and Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson fell short to Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova.
For Raducanu, it was certainly disappointing that her team didn't capitalize on her great form. But at least, she could be happy with how she played.
I think I had some good performances on the court this week. I played three matches, which is great for me. I havent played in a while so I think being able to score a point and get on the board was helpful. I think the positives to take are, physically, I held up pretty well. It didnt take me too long to step back into that match sharpness," the 22-year-old said.
How Boulter reacted to the defeat?
Since the world No. 24 started her match against Sramkova by routinely winning the first set with a 6-2 scoreline, it looked like Great Britain would dismantle Slovakia and pretty easily progress into the final.
But then, Boulter twice fell down by a break in the second set. While she twice managed to get the break back, she lost her serve again in the 10th game - the game in which she was serving to stay in the second set - and the Slovak managed to force a decider.
In the third set, the Briton was also down by a break before recovering. Then just like it happened in the second set, Sramkova went 5-4 before breaking Boulter to seal the set and complete her comeback win.
The 28-year-old - who won two WTA titles this year and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 23 in the world - refused to be negative about how Great Britain's run ended.
Obviously its going to be really important for me to take a moment for myself, remember what Ive actually done this year. Ive got two titles behind me. Im at a career-high ranking. This week has also been great for me. I have had some really good wins. I really want to use that next year, and I really feel like I can push on," Boulter said.
But its going to be extremely important for me to take a moment right now and have a few days to myself and pick myself back up. Its a long season. Im a little emotionally tired, but I have given everything I possibly could for this country, and Im proud of that. Thats all I can ask of myself.
British captain Anne Keothavong was also positive, saying they had a promising team that could return stronger in the future.
Weve got a fantastic team and we do need to find a way to pick ourselves up; maintain perspective, most of all, Keothavong said.
Raducanu had a warning for her competition
The 22-year-old maybe didn't get to conclude her 2024 season with her first Billie Jean King Cup title but she did it with three consecutive straight-set wins. And after appearing in just 13 WTA tournaments this year but still doing some notable, the 2021 US Open winner warned her competition to know that she will be aiming for even bigger things in 2025.
"Yeah, I think I started the year off pretty well for the first half, you know up to Wimbledon. Then I struggled a little bit more with my body I think physically. Wasn't able to play the full calendar and stay on court as much as I would have liked. But my assessment is, you, I think sometimes I need reminding, I'm top 60 in the world and I have played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of, in a way. I have to pat myself on the back for that. I know I'm a dangerous player. I know no one wants to pull my names in the draw. I take pride in that, and I'm looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year," Raducanu said.
