The tennis community is still reeling after a shocking video surfaced from Emma Raducanu’s training session just hours before her sudden withdrawal from the Wuhan Open 2025. The 22-year-old British star, known for her resilience and determination, was seen collapsing to her knees during a grueling fitness routine, gasping for air as tears streamed down her face.
According to reports, Raducanu had been pushing her physical limits to prepare for her comeback season after a string of injuries. In the leaked 40-second clip, she can be heard crying out to her trainer, “I can’t stop — I have to keep going. My arteries feel like they’re going to burst!” Moments later, she dropped her racket, burying her face in her hands.
But what truly stunned the tennis world wasn’t just the footage — it was what came next. As the video faded out, Raducanu whispered ten final words that have since been dissected by analysts and fans alike: “Maybe I was never meant to survive this sport.” Those words instantly changed the tone of the discussion. Speculation grew that the young champion had reached a breaking point, both physically and mentally, after years of battling injuries, media pressure, and the relentless expectations following her 2021 US Open triumph.
Close sources to Raducanu told The Telegraph that she’s been under immense pressure to prove herself since returning to the WTA circuit. “Emma trains like she’s fighting a war,” one source revealed. “She doesn’t know when to stop. Every session is do-or-die for her.” Following the incident, the Wuhan Open organizers confirmed her withdrawal, citing “medical reasons.” However, no further details were disclosed, fueling even more speculation about her current health. Meanwhile, the WTA has declined to comment on the leaked footage, calling it “a private and sensitive matter.”
Tennis legends have also voiced their concern. Former world number one Chris Evert said, “Emma needs to step back before she breaks. The pressure on young athletes today is brutal.”
As of this morning, Raducanu has not appeared publicly or posted on her social media accounts. Fans continue to flood her pages with messages of support and worry, hoping she’s receiving proper care and rest.
One thing is clear: that single moment — those ten heartbreaking words — have cast a shadow over the entire tournament. Whether this marks a temporary pause or a deeper emotional struggle remains to be seen. But one fan’s comment perhaps summed it up best: “She gave everything for tennis — maybe too much.”
