The China Open 2025 has been thrown into turmoil after Emma Raducanu stunned fans and media with a breathtaking semifinal comeback, fueled by what many are calling her “mysterious hand code.” The 22-year-old British star, who already enjoys a strong fan base in China, appeared to gesture repeatedly to the crowd during key moments of her match, rallying support in a way no one had ever seen before. In a match that began with her trailing badly, Raducanu clawed her way back point by point until she sealed an electrifying victory, leaving spectators and commentators scrambling for answers.
Social media erupted within minutes of her win, with short clips of the signals spreading like wildfire on Weibo, TikTok, and X. Some fans insist they have “decoded” her gestures, claiming that each movement of her hands was a request for the crowd to increase their cheers and energy, which in turn gave her an extraordinary mental boost. “Emma looked like she had superpowers when the crowd roared,” said one Chinese spectator, whose comment has already been shared thousands of times online. Others argue the hand movements were simply a spontaneous celebration, a natural way for Raducanu to engage with her supporters during a tense, high-stakes match.
International tennis journalists are divided. While some praise Raducanu for her innovative way of connecting with the fans, others question whether such interactions cross any ethical boundaries in a professional match. So far, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has not commented, but insiders suggest that tournament officials are monitoring the situation closely as the viral video continues to draw global attention. “We have seen players pump up crowds before, but this is on another level,” one veteran commentator noted. “It almost felt choreographed.”
For Raducanu, the semifinal triumph marks one of her most remarkable comebacks since her breakout at the US Open. She has long been known for her composure under pressure, but the China Open seems to have unlocked a new dimension of her competitive personality. Her affinity with Chinese fans, bolstered by her own Chinese heritage on her mother’s side, has made her one of the most beloved international players at this tournament. The atmosphere inside the arena during her match was described as electric, with waves of applause and chants that shook the stands.
Whether the so-called “hand code” was a clever psychological tactic or just an enthusiastic response to the crowd, the moment has already become one of the defining stories of the 2025 tennis season. With the final of the China Open looming, anticipation is at fever pitch. Can Raducanu ride this wave of energy to claim the title, or will the growing scrutiny around her methods create distractions? For now, one thing is certain: Emma Raducanu has once again captured the world’s attention, turning a routine semifinal into a spectacle no one will forget.
