Emma Raducanu admits she felt ‘dizzy and faint’ during her defeat to Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open quarter-finals on Thursday.
Raducanu went into the clash as an underdog in fine form against Pegula and pushed the American world No.4 all the way in a tense showdown.
The British No.2, who is set to make her return to the world top 50 on Monday, enjoyed a mid-match surge but Pegula eventually won 6-4 6-7 6-2.
Raducanu, currently ranked world No.60, leaves Miami with her head held high after a series of impressive wins, most notably over world No.10 Emma Navarro.
In her post-match press conference after her defeat to Pegula, Raducanu provided an update on her health after she was left feeling unwell and seen by a doctor on the court towards the end of the second set.
The 22-year-old former US Open champion struggled to cope with the humid conditions in Miami, with temperatures rising to around 27C.
‘I just felt really dizzy,’ Raducanu said. ‘I felt faint. I don’t know. It was very humid out there and we have a long wait.
‘So maybe just an accumulation [of things], and just physical points as well and there were long rallies and heavy conditions.
‘I don’t know how I kind of regrouped in that second set, but in the third I definitely struggled a little bit.’
Former British No.1 Tim Henman praised Raducanu for her stellar run in Miami after the match, believing there are many positives to take forward.
‘I thought Emma just lost to a better player,’ Henman told Sky Sports. ‘She fought so hard, very tight first two sets. She did so well to get that second set.
‘She looked a little bit fatigued but started being more aggressive to try and keep the points short, looking to take the match to Pegula.
‘Once she got that second set, you thought: ‘There’s a chance.’ But Pegula showed her hard-court experience and just raised her level, so full credit to her for getting through to the semi-finals.
‘But there’s no doubt Raducanu will take so many positives from this run in Miami.
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‘When you see Raducanu playing at this level, the tennis has always been there, but the movement in and out of the corners when she’s been on defence, it’s been so impressive.
‘The way she’s strung together these wins is going to give her huge confidence.
‘She’s got to keep doing the work in the gym and on the track, and then when she gets out on the tournament stage, I think these wins will continue.’
Pegula will next lock horns with Alexandra Eala in the Miami Open semi-finals after the 19-year-old wildcard upset world No.2 Iga Swiatek 6-2 7-5.
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