Raducanu withdraws from Wuhan Open first round with illness

Emma Raducanu withdrew from her first round match at the Wuhan Open on Tuesday after falling ill on court, retiring while trailing Ann Li 6-1, 4-1. The 22 year old British number one received treatment from the WTA physio and the tournament doctor after appearing unsteady; medical staff checked her temperature and blood pressure before she decided she could not continue, citing dizziness.

Raducanu began the match brightly by breaking Li in the opening game, but Li won six consecutive games to take the first set and moved ahead in the second before Raducanu called for help. Li said after the match that she wished Raducanu a speedy recovery, adding that it was unclear what the problem was but that Raducanu had not appeared well. Raducanu later posted a photo from a doctors office on social media with the caption, "Last day at the doctors in Wuhan, feeling better now. Shame I couldnt continue there, but thank you for the messages."

Tournament conditions in Wuhan were hot and humid, with reported temperatures in the low to mid 30s Celsius and elevated humidity levels. Officials partially closed the roof for the match and applied the event heat rule earlier in the week. Players...