Emma Raducanu marks successful injury comeback with opening win in Hobart

Raducanu secures first win since September at Hobart International

HOBART, Australia — Emma Raducanu captured her first victory since September on Tuesday, defeating Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6-3, 7-6(2) at the Hobart International.

The first-round match was completed over two days after heavy rain forced an overnight suspension. Raducanu had secured the opening set but trailed 1-4 in the second before play was halted.

Upon returning to the court the following day, the British star displayed a more aggressive and dominant style. She seized control of the momentum, winning seven of the final nine games to seal the straight-sets victory.

The win marks a positive turnaround for Raducanu, who struggled with a foot injury during the conclusion of the 2025 season. She noted that grinding out close wins is significant for her mental confidence.

To generate more power on the court, Raducanu implemented technical adjustments to her forehand during the off-season.

Raducanu will face world No. 57 Magdalena Frech in the next round.

Emma Raducanu’s opening-round victory in Hobart serves as a significant performance indicator, signaling a strategic pivot for the former US Open champion. Following a period of volatility characterized by recurring injuries and the pressures of sudden elite-level scrutiny, this result offers two critical insights into her recovery trajectory.

First, the match highlighted a marked improvement in psychological resilience. Navigating an overnight suspension due to weather is a rigorous test of mental discipline; Raducanu’s transition from a passive defensive posture to a proactive, authoritative style upon resumption demonstrates a maturing competitive temperament. This shift suggests a newfound capacity to maintain focus under disruptive conditions.

Second, and perhaps more vital for her long-term competitiveness, is the evident technical recalibration of her game. Raducanu has initiated a calculated adjustment to her forehand, optimizing for increased power and topspin. This represents a strategic effort to mitigate a structural disadvantage: the power deficit she has faced against physically dominant opponents in recent years. The successful application of this new technique under match-day pressure validates the efficacy of her current training regime.

Ultimately, while a single victory is an incremental gain, it provides Raducanu with the essential "match-time capital" needed to refine her technical assets and, more importantly, to reconstruct the competitive confidence required for a sustained return to the top flight.

Emma Raducanu, whose mother is of Chinese descent, stands as a prominent role model for young Asians across the West. Her journey—defined by her resilience in the face of injury and her ability to handle immense pressure—serves as a compelling source of inspiration for a generation navigating their own paths toward success.