Emma Raducanu faced backlash for attending a lavish event before a tournament.

Emma Raducanu attended a lavish dinner before last year’s Qatar Open (Image: Getty)

Emma Raducanu’s Qatar Open campaign was over almost as quickly as it began. The British No. 2 received a wildcard into this week’s WTA 1000 event but fell at the first hurdle, losing to Ekaterina Alexandrova last Sunday.

While it was a disappointing defeat, Raducanu still proved that she learned from her mistakes last time out in Doha.

Twelve months ago, Raducanu attended a star-studded dinner ahead of the Qatar Open and was handily beaten in round one.

Although the result was the same this time around, the 22-year-old has at least proven her commitment to tennis. The WTA 1000 in Doha was her third consecutive week of competing, following first-round exits in Abu Dhabi and Singapore.

Raducanu has made it clear that she wants to commit to playing as much as possible in 2025. And her decision may have been influenced by mistakes made in last year’s comeback season.

The world No. 60 faced criticism over her priorities when she attended a glamorous dinner in Dubai before the 2024 Qatar Open.

Raducanu was a VIP guest at the grand opening of the luxury One&Only One Za’abeel hotel resort and was pictured sitting alongside Naomi Campbell two days before crashing out in the first round in Doha.

It meant she didn’t arrive in Qatar until Sunday – a day before her opening match – and didn’t have much time to adjust to the conditions.

Emma Raducanu lost in the first round of the Qatar Open for the second year running (Image: Getty)

Raducanu suffered a 6-0 7-6(6) defeat and later told Sky Sports: “I felt like I never really got into it. I think it was a combination of things.

“It’s like my first day match I think I’ve played in a year so that’s different. Honestly, I think I need to practice training outside a bit more because it’s very different.”

However, Raducanu was criticised by those who pointed out that she could’ve adjusted to the outdoor courts in Doha had she travelled earlier for some more pre-tournament practice.

The Brit later claimed she wouldn’t have done anything differently. But it appears she was wrong, as she has taken a different approach in 2025 and has been fully focused on her tennis.

As soon as she lost in the first round in Singapore at the end of January, she signed up for qualifying in Abu Dhabi. Her wildcard was upgraded to a main draw one, but her intention to play qualies was proof of her dedication.

Again, after losing early in Abu Dhabi, Raducanu took a wildcard into the Qatar Open and ensured she was better prepared this year.

Although the result was the same—a first-round exit following a 6-3 7-5 defeat to Alexandrova—she had more matches under her belt and arrived earlier to practice.

After learning from her past mistakes, Raducanu will now need to turn her attention to another matter – her coaching situation.

The world No. 60 parted ways with Nick Cavaday after 14 months together as Cavaday needed time at home to recover from an undisclosed health issue.

Raducanu temporarily worked with one of her junior coaches, Roman Kelecic, in Abu Dhabi. Her close confidant Jane O’Donoghue joined her in Doha and will also be in Dubai, but she will need a permanent solution.