In the previous month, British tennis sensation Raducanu competed in the WTA’s Middle East series, taking part in the Abu Dhabi Open and Qatar Open. She secured a victory over Marie Bouzkova in straight sets, marking her third win of the season in the capital of the UAE.
However, she faced a tough challenge against Ons Jabeur in the next round, succumbing to a 4-6, 1-6 defeat. This match against the Tunisian took place on Wednesday, with Raducanu slated to participate in Doha the subsequent week.
Due to her unseeded status, Raducanu was anticipated to compete in her first-round match at the Doha tournament either on Monday or Tuesday. However, she chose to prolong her stay in the UAE and journeyed to Dubai to attend the lavish grand opening of a luxury hotel.
Among the attendees were prominent figures like British model Naomi Campbell and American actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens, with whom Raducanu shares a close friendship.
The official inauguration of the One&Only One Za’abeel hotel took place on Saturday night. Raducanu was seated at the dining table alongside Naomi Campbell and later posed for a photo with Hudgens.
The former World No. 10 then traveled to Doha the next day and managed to arrive in time for her first-round match against Anhelina Kalinina on Tuesday afternoon. However, she struggled significantly, losing 0-6, 6-7. Following the match, the 21-year-old openly criticized her own performance.
Raducanu faced further scrutiny from the British press for what they deemed inadequate preparation for the Doha match. It was only then that her attendance at the glamorous event in Dubai garnered attention on the front pages.
The former US Open champion expressed her displeasure with the reaction and criticism, defending her decision-making in a recent interview with The Times.
Contrary to the prevailing belief that her visit to Dubai was solely for socializing with celebrities, Raducanu clarified that she had been actively training during the four days spent there. She emphasized that she only attended the star-studded dinner during her leisure time.
“I believe I dedicated three hours to tennis training, along with an hour and a half in the gym, and allowed myself two hours of downtime in the evening. However, if there are suggestions on how I should utilize my leisure time from 8pm to 10pm, I’m open to hearing them.”
“It’s essentially a routine of training in Dubai followed by enjoying a pleasant dinner in good company. The only distinction is that my dining experiences tend to attract public attention.”
