Emma Raducanu said she will take positives from her defeat in the Transylvania Open final, insisting she is beginning to rediscover her playing identity even though she fell short in Cluj-Napoca. The British No 1 lost in straight sets to home favourite Sorana Cirstea, missing a chance to claim her first trophy since the 2021 US Open, but is set to rise five places to world No 25 on Monday.
Raducanu acknowledged the toll of her long semi-final against Oleksandra Oliynykova, saying her energy was limited coming into the championship match. She praised Cirstea’s performance and accepted that she could not match it while feeling below full strength. Raducanu also revealed she had been managing an infection and fatigue during the week, which made competing at her best difficult.
After splitting with coach Francisco Roig following a six-month partnership, Raducanu has been working with LTA coach Alexis Canter. She said Canter has helped her refine and reconnect with the way she wants to play, assisting her in rebuilding a clearer on-court style. Raducanu described the week in Romania as a positive step toward that goal, while acknowledging there is still work to do and that progress will be gradual rather than immediate.
She remains undecided about entering next week’s Qatar Open in Doha, where a first-round match against Camila Osorio could lead into a tough quarter with Coco Gauff, Leylah Fernandez and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Former coach Miles Maclagan, speaking after the final, pointed to a mix of factors that decided the match. He complimented Cirstea’s aggressive start and suggested Raducanu appeared to be struggling with a physical problem by the end, rather than simply tactical or mental fatigue. Maclagan stressed the importance of match minutes for Raducanu’s development, saying that playing consecutive matches and building consistency will help her trust her body and decision-making in pressure moments.
Despite the loss, Raducanu left Romania encouraged by the final appearance, the on-site support, and the clearer sense of how she wants to play. She emphasized that the week represented meaningful progress as she plans the next steps of her season.