HSBC Championships 2026: Emma Raducanu says home support ‘means a lot’ after final run at Queen’s
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British No.1 Emma Raducanu came within one match of winning her first career title on grass at the HSBC Championships this week, but eventually finished runner-up after an impressive final performance from Donna Vekic.
The former US Open champion had two set points in the second set before Vekic charged back to seal a 6-0, 7-6(6) victory.
Raducanu came into the tournament without a win in almost three months, but showed once again that she has the game to challenge for the biggest prizes in the game.
Despite the disappointment, the 23-year-old was ultimately proud of the way she played at The Queen’s Club this week and is taking the positives into the rest of the grass court swing.
“I think I played really well this week,” she said. “I'm playing pretty freely, pretty aggressively, but finding the right balance, returning, been serving pretty well. It's important on grass.
“I was able to play and dictate, and that's something I wasn't able to do today. I managed to get myself back into the second set, and I'm proud of how I fought.
“That's not something that in the past years I have always done, so that's a positive.”
Raducanu was certainly made to do things the hard way this week. After rain suspended all play on Thursday, the schedule became backed up and the Briton had to play four matches in three days.
On Saturday, she overcame qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova before returning later to knock out sixth seed Iva Jovic.
While she was conscious of the impact of playing so many matches in quick succession, Raducanu was quick to compliment Vekic’s performance as the key factor in the final.
“I think the performances yesterday were really good,” she said. “I played very well against Iva, Sorana, as well.
“They are some of the players who have won the most matches on tour this year, so I knew I had to play very well, and I did. I have to take positives from that.
“I think that’s part of it (the fatigue). Donna also didn't allow me to really play my game. She came out serving very well, and hitting, striking from the back really well.
“I think everything happens for a reason. That's what I'm clinging onto right now.”
Playing as a home favourite at any event is special, but for Raducanu this week, it seems to have given her that extra burst of energy when she needs it.
From the late-night roars from the crowd in her semi-final to the chants of encouragement in the final, the British star was full of admiration and love for her supporters this week.
“I think it's incredibly special,” she added. “You know, playing at home, there is no feeling like it. I was so just in awe of the atmosphere and in awe of the support I received all week. I couldn't really believe it.
"Even though I know I'm playing at home, it just trumps anything that you ever really think of. For that, I'm really grateful, and I just see how many people are behind me and rooting for me. It means a lot, because the results don't always go your way the whole season.
"You see things written about you or spoken about you, but when you play at home, you're just reminded how much support there is actually for you. It means a lot to have that."
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