Heartbroken Emma Raducanu admits she’s made a mistake after her first round US Open defeat

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Emma Raducanu couldn’t hold back her tears after suffering a first round defeat to America’s Sofia Kenin.

It was a battle of former grand slam champions as 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu searched for her first victory in New York since her faults run through qualifying three years ago.

A crucial break of serve for Kenin at 2-2 in the third set was all it took. Without looking back, the plucky American managed her service games smartly to serve it out and dump the Brit out.

After a confident grass court summer, hopes were high for Raducanu as she returned to New York, despite her lack of warm-up tournaments.

However with compatriots Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart both through, Raducanu becomes the first Brit on the women’s side to fall.

Emma sounds regretful after US Open defeat to Sofia Kenin

Whether fair or not, Raducanu hasn’t managed to escape some headline making over the last few weeks.

After a late Murray snub at Wimbledon, bewilderment over skipping the Olympics came just before critics rained down about Raducanu’s decision to skip the US Open warm-up events in Toronto and Cincinnati.

In her press conference, the Brit appeared to rue what she now considers a missed opportunity.

“I feel down, I feel sad. Obviously, this is a tournament I really want to do well in. I was maybe a bit slow starting. Yeah, I would have preferred to probably play, a little bit more before coming into the US Open.

“You know, I know when I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good. You feel like everything’s automatic. So yeah, I think I can learn from it. And you know manage my schedule slightly differently.”

Tim Henman had previously backed Raducanu’s decision, suggesting she should be focused on performances rather than results.

However, three years after her triumph here, Raducanu was defeated in every sense.

What’s next for Emma Raducanu after US Open disappointment?

The Korea Open in Seoul is her next chance to bounce back from this latest disappointment.

Under three weeks away, Raducanu will be desperate to respond with some intent.

Her Wimbledon efforts in July was the best performance at a major since her winning US Open .

With only a brief stint in Washington to separate her time on the grass to the courts of the US Open, Raducanu will also have an eye on her fitness after multiple surgeries have disrupted her last few years on tour.