Tennis fans have blasted Emma Raducanu after the 21-year-old was forced to withdraw from her clash with Daria Kasatkina at the Korea Open on Saturday morning.
The Briton was clearly struggling during the showdown and, after losing the first set 6-1, then decided to withdraw from the match.
Raducanu has often struggled with her fitness ever since her remarkable triumph at the US Open back in 2021.
There's no denying she is a quality and world-class talent when she's injury-free and able to operate at the peak of her powers.
Tennis fans have blasted Emma Raducanu after the 21-year-old was forced to withdraw from her clash with Daria Kasatkina at the Korea Open on Saturday morning
WTA
However, she's now suffered yet another setback as her hopes of Korea Open glory went up in smoke.
Tennis fans on social media have now reacted to Raducanu's withdrawal.
Some were critical of the tennis star, with one user saying: "Raducanu needs to toughen up. Only ever has these issues when behind in an event/on the scoresheet. It's more than an injury for her at this point."
A second said: "'Injured' again whilst losing... What a shock."
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A third stuck the knife into Raducanu by saying: "Whenever Emma starts losing the game, she quits it."
A fourth condemned the tennis star with the words: "I've never seen someone so happy about being injured."
One fan even went as far to urge Raducanu to retire from tennis, despite her young age, by saying: "She needs to just retire all together."
A sixth said: "At least pretend to look a little sad or upset?"
And a seventh piled in on Raducanu by stating: "Injured?? Again? That's a surprise."
Others, however, were quick to defend the 2021 US Open champion.
One Raducanu fan said: "Still a great run. 5th QF the year so still progress! Hoping she can continue this for the rest of the year and into next season!"
A second defended Raducanu by saying: "This is sad, hope she recovers quickly for the next tournament."
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Get well soon, @EmmaRaducanu 💜@DKasatkina advances to the semifinals after Raducanu retires due to injury.
— wta (@WTA) September 21, 2024
Final score: 6-1. #KoreaOpen pic.twitter.com/yXUhxDNxiR
A third stated: "Oh Em! Whatever next?! Love and hugs for a speedy recovery!"
And a fourth said: "I'm so disappointed, Emma had been playing so well in this tournament.
"Hopefully it's nothing too serious and she'll be fine for the other tournaments she has lined up this year."
Kasatkina, meanwhile, sent Raducanu a message of support following her exit from the competition.
Emma Raducanu was seen smiling after being forced to withdraw from the Korea Open due to injury
WTA
The Russian said: “I feel sorry for Emma for retiring during the match.
“It’s a pity to get the injury, especially in the deeper stages of the tournament.
"I wish her a speedy recovery and to get ready for the next tournament. I know that this Asian swing is important for her.”
