Emma Raducanu continued to build on her strong record at the Citi DC Open, battling past Greece’s Maria Sakkari to secure a spot in the semifinals. The hard-fought contest lasted nearly two hours and ten minutes, with the sweltering conditions in the capital further testing both players’ endurance.
After her victory, Raducanu highlighted the extreme heat in Washington when asked to compare it with the much-discussed temperatures at Wimbledon earlier this month. However, her revealing comments about Washington’s brutal weather conditions came shortly before she and Elena Rybakina were forced to retire during their doubles semifinal on Friday.
How Did Washington’s Heat Force Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina’s Doubles Retirement?
Generally known for its mild summers, the All England Club delivered an unexpected twist as temperatures soared to a record-breaking 32°C. Throughout the tournament, both spectators and players witnessed an average of 26°C, unusually high for the venue.
Raducanu impressed with a 6-4, 7-5 quarterfinal win over Sakkari, showcasing her resilience in the challenging conditions. However, the soaring Washington heat soon took its toll on both her and partner Rybakina. They were forced to retire during their doubles semifinal against Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang, who led 4-1 in the first set. Indications were that both players wanted to preserve themselves for their upcoming singles semifinals encounters.
Elena Rybakina and Emma Raducanu retire from their doubles SF against Townsend & Zhang in Washington.
Not super surprising, considering both are still in the SF of singles & Emma had a tough match in the heat today.
It was a fun ride, Rybacanu.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 26, 2025
After her singles victory and before the doubles match, Raducanu was asked to compare the heat to Wimbledon’s record temperatures. Her response painted a vivid picture of Washington’s oppressive conditions, describing it as feeling “like someone had left an oven door open.”
“Different level. Different level. I think the humidity here, as well, it just makes it feel completely like you have just opened an oven and it just stayed open and your head is in there. That’s how it feels,” she said during her post-match press conference.
Here’s Emma Raducanu comparing the much-discussed heat at Wimbledon earlier this month to the heat in Washington today (and not sounding optimistic about taking the court for doubles with Rybakina later today). pic.twitter.com/05n1jD3xbC
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 25, 2025
The temperature reportedly climbed into the mid-90s Fahrenheit on Friday but felt closer to 100°F (approximately 38°C) due to the oppressive humidity. Raducanu explained that, unlike Wimbledon’s dry heat, the Washington weather made her sweat immediately, even during warm-up sessions.
“Wimbledon, it gets hot in England, but it’s a drier heat, not quite the same sweating. Today, even in the match warmup, you just go outside and you’re sweating. Honestly, it’s even hotter watching, I think, because you’re sat and you don’t create any movement and wind and flowing. A credit to everyone, yeah, and much appreciated to getting out here and watching,” she added.
During the press conference, Raducanu already revealed she wasn’t feeling up to playing doubles, especially with a singles semifinal looming in such quick succession. Her body language suggested the toll the conditions had taken.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m not feeling the best right now, so I just need to go and speak to the doctors,” she said.
What Does This Semifinal Mean for Raducanu’s Career Trajectory?
Although Raducanu burst onto the scene with a fairytale run at the 2021 US Open, winning the title as a teenage qualifier, her journey since then has been filled with obstacles. A series of injuries, surgeries, and extended breaks significantly hindered her progress. Nonetheless, she has managed to maintain an impressive record at the WTA 500 event in Washington, reaching two quarterfinals and one semifinal in all her three appearances.
Also Read: Emma Raducanu Rediscovers Joy and Comfort in Tennis As She Reveals Key Changes After Naomi Osaka Citi DC Open Match
Raducanu will next face Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya in the semifinals of the WTA 500 event in Washington. This will be their first-ever meeting on the tour, adding an element of unpredictability to the match. However, Kalinskaya could present a fresh challenge for the Brit, having knocked out two seeded players, Magda Linette and Clara Tauson, on her way to the semifinals.
It is worth noting that this is Raducanu’s first WTA Tour-level semifinal in more than a year and her first on hardcourts in three years. The achievement represents a significant step forward in her comeback journey, despite the challenging conditions that have tested every player in the nation’s capital.
