Emma Raducanu battles mystery illness on court, gets knocked out of Australian Open

Beloved British tennis star Emma Raducanu is back after a year off Grand Slams, but she has been dealt another devastating blow.

British tennis star Emma Raducanu has revealed she was grappling with a mystery illness while on court during her second round loss at the Australian Open – but has declined to give details.

The 21-year-old, who won the 2021 US Open, was knocked out by China’s Yafan Wang 6-4 4-6 6-4 on Thursday night.

A gruelling nine-minute game at the beginning of the final set led to the Brit having a medical timeout.

Her blood pressure was taken by doctors as she wrapped a towel around her.

Emma Raducanu receives treatment during a break in her round two singles match against Yafan Wang. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

After the match, Raducanu explained she had felt suddenly “really like weak and nauseous” in the third set when she was 30-love up on serve.

“Throughout the third set I think everyone could see it was a bit of a battle,” she said in her post-match press conference.

“Like physically, body-wise, I felt fine. It was more I was throwing up in my mouth. Then after the match, it came out. Now I’m okay.”

When questioned further, Raducanu said: “I’m just not going to divulge too many details.”

It was Raducanu’s first Grand Slam since last year’s Australian Open. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

She declined suggestions it was tension related rather than physical, saying she felt mentally well, and rejected that it could be food poisoning.

She then revealed she thought she had “a bit of a stomach bug beforehand” and confirmed she had felt good when going out on the court.

Raducanu said at some points she couldn’t see the ball well, but added: “There was no way I was going to pull out.

“She was going to have to beat me, and she did.”

The 21-year-old said she thought she had a stomach bug. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

It was Raducanu’s first Grand Slam since last year’s Australian Open as she spent a lengthy period sidelined following surgery on both hands and her ankle.

On Thursday, she said was feeling good and positive about her body.

“I think if I keep my work consistent, like I said previously, I have a good shot. This is obviously only my first trip back,” she said.

“I need to spend more time on tour, spend more time training, and putting good weeks together.”

Raducanu looks dejected as she leaves 1573 Arena after losing her round two singles match against Yafan Wang. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

After her medical timeout, Raducanu headed back out on to the court.

She bravely went on to hold her serve and had chances to break back for 2-2, only for Wang to keep her nerve and take a 3-1 lead.

The Chinese player was then one game away from the third round as she led 5-3, but Raducanu showed huge heart to hold to love and keep the match alive.

However, World No. 94 Wang successfully served it out to clinch victory after a marathon match that ended just four minutes shy of the three-hour mark.

Raducanu’s illness comes after fellow Brit Jack Draper was seen throwing up immediately after his first-round, five-set win earlier this week.

After shaking hands with opponent Marcos Giron, the 22-year-old showed how much the Melbourne heat had impacted him as he crouched over and hurled into a bin.

– with The Sun