Emma Raducanu Says Illness and Fatigue Hindered Her in Cluj‑Napoca Final Loss
By [Your Name] — February 8, 2026
CLUJ‑NAPOCA, Romania — British No. 1 Emma Raducanu opened up about the challenges she faced in her Transylvania Open final defeat on Saturday, saying that illness and fatigue played a significant role in her performance as she suffered a heavy straight‑sets loss to Sorana Cirstea. ([turn0news0][turn0search24])
Raducanu, 23, was seeking her first WTA Tour title since her breakthrough win at the 2021 U.S. Open, but was overwhelmed by Cirstea — a seasoned Romanian veteran playing on home soil — in a dominant 6‑0, 6‑2 result in Cluj‑Napoca. ([turn0search18][turn0search25])
🤒 Battling Through Fatigue and Illness
After the match, Raducanu said that her physical condition during the final made competing at her best a major challenge. She explained that an infection earlier in the week and the lingering effects of a long, demanding semifinal the day before left her low on energy. “I didn’t really have much energy, and it was really difficult,” Raducanu told reporters. She added that Cirstea played exceptionally well and that it would have been hard to overcome her even at full strength. ([turn0search24])
🏃♀️ A Long Road to the Final
Reaching the championship match itself was an encouraging sign for Raducanu, marking her first tour final in more than four years — a significant milestone since her meteoric rise as a teenager. Earlier in the week she had pushed through tough matches, including a grueling semifinal victory that tested her stamina and resilience. ([turn0search19])
Despite the energy drain, Raducanu expressed pride in her progress and said she is “moving in the right direction” as she seeks to find consistency after earlier setbacks, including an Australian Open exit in February. Her comments suggested that while the final result was disappointing, there were positives to take from her week. ([turn0search24])
🎾 The Road Ahead
Raducanu’s performance in Cluj‑Napoca reflects a broader effort to rebuild momentum on the WTA Tour after a period of inconsistent results. Although the final scoreline was lopsided, her ability to reach a championship match signals that she remains a formidable presence when healthy and confident.
For now, Raducanu will turn her focus to recovery and preparation for upcoming events, aiming to convert promising runs into tournament victories as the 2026 season unfolds.
