EMMA RADUCANU has attacked the“insane” line calls in her first match on grass for two years, claiming: It felt like I was playing two versus one!
A mere 713 days since her Centre Court defeat in the second round of Wimbledon 2022, the 21-year-old was back in the UK for competitive reasons.
Emma Raducanu began with a win at the Nottingham OpenRex
The former US Open champion opened up her Nottingham Open campaign with a 70-minute 6-1 6-4 victory over Japanese doubles specialist Ena Shibahara.
Yet even with the first point, she was questioning the eyesight of Brazilian chair umpire Ana Carvalho and the line judges, believing the serve from her Asian opponent was out.
It happened again in game two when on break point, Raducanu’s first serve was called long when it looked good.
Other incidents occurred in games three and five of the first set – as well as at 5-3 up in the second – in which Raducanu showed real displeasure with the calls.
There is no HawkEye system in place for this WTA Tour event so she had to rely upon the vision of the officials.
Asked about the line calls and how many challenges she would have loved to have made, Raducanu replied: “I mean I felt like I was playing two v one on the court.
“Like it was insane. I’d have used probably at least four challenges!
“I think a lot of the time they go both ways. Today I felt they were all one way, against me.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
“But it just makes me feel better that I managed to beat her and the umpire as well at the same time.”
On Monday evening, Harriet Dart offered to bet an umpire £50,000 that she was right about a line call.
She told official Kelly Rask “you should be embarrassed” after the 27-year-old was convinced a ball landed out during a second-set rally against Katie Boulter.
Raducanu, who is here on a wildcard entry, added: “It’s not just me. Yesterday Harriet was saying the same thing. At this tournament quite a few players say it.
“It’s difficult when there’s no challenge but at the end of the day, it’s something everyone has to deal with.
“You can be fortunate in some ways, maybe it was just trying to make the match more competitive.
“Like it was 6-1 5-1 and all of a sudden, first point serving at 5-3, it’s a really bad line call.
“It’s something I had to deal with and overcome. I’m very pleased with the attitude that I came out with from the get-go and then also having to deal with the adversity.”
Raducanu, the world No.209, will play Ukrainian Daria Snigur in the last 16 on Thursday as she gears up preparation for a return to Wimbledon.
She added: “An element of me forgot what it was like to play at home and have that much support behind me. It’s amazing, it’s a great feeling.
“I think I’m very lucky to have great support wherever I play.
“But it’s not quite like coming and playing in the UK in front of everyone on the grass.
“It’s something that me and all the Brits cherish and look forward to every year.”
Dan Evans beat Switzerland’s Dominic Stricker 6-3 4-6 6-3 in a first-round tie that had been suspended from the day before due to dampness on court and bad light after two completed sets.
He will now face English teenager Henry Searle – winner of the 2023 Wimbledon Boys’ singles title – in round two in the East Midlands.
The top 10 richest stars in tennis
