Emma Raducanu pointed to Miami’s sticky humidity as the likely culprit behind her mid-match medical timeout during her tough three-set loss to Jessica Pegula.
The Brit, who’s been showing flashes of her 2021 US Open-winning form this tournament, needed her blood pressure checked and ice towels to cool down after feeling dizzy late in the second set.
To her credit, she battled through the discomfort to force a tiebreak and steal the set—drawing cheers from the crowd for her gutsy effort.
While the 22-year-old ultimately fell short in the decider against the world No. 4, the real relief came when she walked off court seemingly fine after the nearly three-hour battle in brutal conditions.
Speaking afterwards, Raducanu was asked about her on court treatment, where she revealed the humidity left her feeling faint. She said: “I just felt really dizzy. I felt faint. I don’t know, it was very humid out there and we have a long wait, so maybe just an accumulation, and just physical points as well and there were long rallies and heavy conditions, but….yeah I don’t know how I kind of regrouped in that second set, but in the third I definitely struggled a little bit.”
Next up for Pegula? A semifinal showdown with 19-year-old wildcard Alexandra Eala, who just pulled off the biggest shock of the tournament by taking down world No. 2 Iga Świątek in straight sets.
The teenage sensation’s 6-2, 7-5 stunner books her a dream spot in the final four—and suddenly makes this semifinal must-watch tennis.
The American paid a classy tribute to Raducanu’s performance post-match, saying: “It was tough. I played a good first set, a little let down in the second, got it back, went up 2-0 in the tiebreak, but it kind of flipped.
“She started moving the ball really well, serving good… sometimes it just happens, but I just wanted to come out in the third really strong, really quick, and just kind of jump on her and not keep the third set too close.”
