Heartbreak for Emma Raducanu after Queen’s Club final defeat

Heartbreak for Emma Raducanu after Queen’s Club final defeat Last updated 14 June 2026 4:58pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Emma Raducanu was cheered on by the homes fans but could not lift her first title since 2021 Credit: Harriet Lander/Getty Images Simon Briggs Tennis Correspondent, at Queen's Club. Leila Mermelstein Live Updates Last updated 14 June 2026 4:58pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Emma Raducanu will have to wait for her first WTA title – as opposed to the grand slam she won in 2021 – after coming up short in a thrilling tussle with Croatia’s Donna Vekic. Although Vekic gave her an absolute schooling in a first-set “bagel”, Raducanu found her form in the second set, which turned into an 80-minute barnstormer. She had chances to force a decider, notably when she held set point at 5-4, and found herself at the net after driving a short ball towards the Vekic backhand. Shifting the momentum 🌊 Emma Raducanu is looking to take the match to a deciding set.#HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/nfCdnLAY2D — wta (@WTA) June 14, 2026 But Vekic, who started and finished this match in magnificent form, conjured up a perfectly judged backhand lob which curled tantalisingly over Raducanu’s extended racket and dropped a foot inside the baseline. There was plenty more excitement to come as Raducanu fought off four match points before going down 8-6 in the second-set tie-break. It was an agonisingly close finale but she should still be encouraged by what she has done over the past week. LONDON CHAMPION! 🏆@DonnaVekic is victorious at Queen's winning in straight sets against Raducanu!#HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/ED2KTy2cD3 — wta (@WTA) June 14, 2026 The result leaves Raducanu with a difficult choice to make about her schedule, however. She now stands in 31st position on the WTA live rankings, one place ahead of Vekic, which – if it can be maintained – would give her a seeding at Wimbledon. But to be certain of earning that seeding, she might perhaps need to pick up some more points on the remaining grass-court events in Nottingham and Eastbourne. After the heavy workload of the last week, which included two matches on Saturday and the need some strapping on her left thigh after a fall during the quarter-final, she has a ticklish decision in front of her. More to follow... Latest updates Simon Briggs Tennis Correspondent, at Queen's Club. Leila Mermelstein Live Updates 4:32PM Goodbye! Link copied to clipboard Thank you for tuning in for our coverage of the Queen’s women’s final. After a blistering start, lucky loser Donna Vekic stormed to a 6-0 first set inside 30 minutes. Hitting 13 winners, compared with Emma Raducanu’s four, and winning all three break points she was presented with, the Croatian looked unstoppable.  Donna Vekic won the first set in 29 minutes Credit: Paul Harding/Getty Images With the help of her box and the British crowd, Raducanu fought back in the second set, going a double break up and setting herself up with set points. The Briton was unable to convert however, despite serving for the set twice and lost her momentum to go from 5-2 up to 5-6 down. She held on for a tiebreak, which  was as nail-biting as the rest of the second set Both players left everything on the court, pushing each other to every corner of the Andy Murray Arena. After they changed ends at 6-6, however, there was nothing Raducanu could do as Vekic set up two mammoth points to take the title. Raducanu served twice for the second set, but was broken both times Credit: Adam Davy/PA Both players will be back in action at the Nottingham Open and Wimbledon, and we will be back for more live text soon! 4:17PM Plenty of grass to go Link copied to clipboard An incredible Cinderella story of lucky loser to champion is only the start of the 2026 grass court season.  LONDON CHAMPION! 🏆@DonnaVekic is victorious at Queen's winning in straight sets against Raducanu!#HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/ED2KTy2cD3 — wta (@WTA) June 14, 2026 The Nottingham Open starts tomorrow (Monday), where most of the British hopes are set to feature. Queen’s semi-finalist Katie Boulter is due to play fellow Briton Harriet Dart in the first round, while Francesca Jones will meet Australia’s Talia Gibson. Emma Raducanu has also entered the tournament, drawn against Karolina Pliskova, who was beaten by Donna Vekic in the quarter-finals in London. This would be a brutal schedule for any player, let alone one who played two games on Saturday before leaving everything out on the court in a final on Sunday. Emma Raducanu is due to play in Nottingham on Monday Credit: Andrew Couldridge/Reuters Thanks to their performance at Queen’s, both Raducanu and Vekic will jump in the world rankings, putting them in contention for seeding at Wimbledon. As it stands, Raducanu has jumped from 42 to 31, while Vekic has gone from 76 to 32. This may change after Nottingham.  4:03PM ‘See you in two weeks’: Vekic Link copied to clipboard It took the new champion a few moments to gather her thoughts, but she was full of praise for her opponent: “Wow. First of all congrats Emma on such a great week, you’re such an incredible player and I wish you and your team all the best for the remainder of the grass season.” “This really is my favourite time of the year, my favourite surface and I really made the most of it this week],” she added. “I’ll see you guys in two weeks, thanks for all your support.” She continued: “[I’ve been dreaming of this for] the last couple of years, for sure. [After the first set] I was thinking, I won 6-0 that’s kind of a curse in tennis, but [Raducanu] really stepped up, she played some amazing tennis, just try to stay with her, make her serve it out, try to play every single ball. To be honest, her last service game and the tiebreak is still a bit of a blur.” Donna Vekic lifted her first Queen’s title after beating Raducanu in straight sets Credit: Adam Davy/PA 3:45PM ‘The support has been incredible’: Raducanu Link copied to clipboard Speaking as she was received her runner-up award, Raducanu thanked the public that had cheered her on throughout the tournament. “It’s been an incredible week for me making the final here, playing in my home city, in my home tournament where I feel the best,” she began. “The support I’ve received all week has been incredible so I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone, today especially it was a really tough match. “Donna played extremely well from start to finish so thanks for getting me through again,” she added. “Of course I would like to congratulate Donna, what a week for you from qualifying all the way to the title,” she laughed. “You played really well, so all the best.” Raducanu thanked the fans and the club for hosting the tournament where she finished runner up Credit: Adam Davy/PA 3:33PM VEKIC TAKES THE CROWN! Raducanu 0-6 6-7 (6-8) Vekic Link copied to clipboard Vekic finds the line again with yet another backhand winner that catches the tramline. Fifth match point. After another mammoth exchange of shots along the baseline, Vekic finally gets her moment as Raducanu bends low to reach a forehand but sends it wide. The world No 76 and lucky loser has won the Queen’s title. She drops to the floor with a smile on her face before going to shake hands at the net, and go over to her box to hug her team. After five match points, Vekic became the Queen’s Club champion Credit: Luke Walker/Getty Images 3:27PM Raducanu 0-6 6-6 Vekic (Tiebreak) Link copied to clipboard Every point on a knife edge, and Raducanu finds more joy at the net. 3-4 She gets a lucky as Vekic serves her second double fault of the final, bringing the scores level to 4-4. The Briton whips a forehand long to go 4-5 down, but draws level again after a mammoth point that has Vekic running back and forth along the baseline. The Croatian runs out of steam and sends her forehand into the net, 5-5. Vekic builds an excellent point, burying her shots deep into the corners to keep Raducanu under pressure. The Briton reaches for a return but it drifts wide, 5-6.  Fourth time of asking and Vekic still cannot take the match point, sending another unforced error into the net with the court wide open, 6-6. They change ends again. 3:22PM Raducanu 0-6 6-6 Vekic (Tiebreak) Link copied to clipboard Vekic makes a statement of intent with a huge ace to start the tie break, 0-1. Raducanu levels but Vekic makes an incredible reach to catch the line with a forehand to take the advantage, 1-2. Both players are breathing heavily, pushing each other to every end of the court. Vekic is showing no signs of slowing down though, and holds her serve to go up 1-4.  Raducanu goes into the change of ends with a wide ace, keeping Vekic within touching distance, 2-4. 3:17PM *Raducanu 0-6 6-6 Vekic Link copied to clipboard There is a lot of encouragement coming from Raducanu’s box as she tries to dig deep. An error into the net brings up 15-15, and her team are telling her to “be brave”. An excellent return of serve from Vekic and a long forehand have now brought up two match points for the Croatian.  Staring down the barrel though, Raducanu steps into court and whips a forehand cross court, bringing up 30-40. A brave second serve on match point is rewarded by the error from Vekic for deuce. Raducanu comes into the net but the volley is again to soft and Vekic is able to chase it down and whip it past her at the net. Another match point. But with nerves of steel Raducanu whips a forehand to the corner and brings it back to deuce.  The Briton manages to force a tiebreak after two exhausting exchanges. The mental toll on both players, who have had set points and match points come and go, must be huge. 3:09PM Raducanu 0-6 5-6 Vekic Link copied to clipboard All the way through this match, the points have been on Vekic’s racket. Her forehand went on the blink in the middle of the second set but it’s back firing and Raducanu has an uphill task to make to the tie-break. 3:09PM Raducanu 0-6 5-6 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard Vekic gets new balls for her service game, which will suit her very nicely. She has won three games on the trot and denied Raducanu the second set. Suddenly the tide has turned and with a confident hold to 15, Vekic takes the lead in the second set with a forehand that finds the backhand corner.  Now Raducanu is serving to stay in the second set.  3:06PM *Raducanu 0-6 5-5 Vekic Link copied to clipboard Incredible hustle and the crowd are on their feet.  Both players are pushing each other to every corner of the court, but Raducanu pulls a delicate forehand slice and whips Vekic’s return past the stranded Croatian. The British No 1 brings up set point at 40-30, but again catches the top of the next, giving Vekic a high bounce which the Croatian duly buries. At deuce, Raducanu whips a forehand cross court to set up another set point. She is not clinical enough at the net however when her chance comes and Vekic sends a lob over her head. Vekic takes the advantage with her own cross court forehand, and Raducanu sends a slice wide to level the second set. She will be very frustrated she did not take the set when she had the chance. Raducanu could not take her first set point opportunity Credit: Adam Davy/PA 2:57PM Raducanu 0-6 5-4 Vekic Link copied to clipboard The Vekic forehand was back with bang in those last two games. Raducanu has twice been two points from the set, but now has a tricky service game ahead of her if she wants to force the decider. Vekic has found most success with her forehand winners Credit: Paul Harding/Getty Images 2:55PM Raducanu 0-6 5-4 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard An unforced error again perhaps a sign of nerves for Vekic as another forehand goes long.  The Croatian gets herself back into the game at 30-30, finding her attack into the forehand corner which is offsetting her errors into the net. Vekic holds from 0-30 down, with a big serve down the middle, before finding the corner with a forehand winner down the line. Raducanu has one more chance to serve for the set. 2:50PM *Raducanu 0-6 5-3 Vekic Link copied to clipboard It is not done yet though. A series of errors from Raducanu puts her 0-40 down, facing three break points.  She handles the first with a big serve out wide. The second is dealt with courtesy of a backhand winner and the third is a gift from Vekic, who buries her serve return in the net. Vekic gets first advantage, hitting hard and flat and sending a forehand winner into the corner.  She takes the game at the fourth time of asking, as Raducanu sends a forehand long over the baseline. Vekic will now serve to stay in the second set. 2:46PM Raducanu 0-6 5-2 Vekic Link copied to clipboard By my count, Vekic has gone from 10 winners and four unforced in set one to six winners and ten unforced in set two. A major shift in performance levels. Raducanu has harried her into several of those errors with her solidity from the back of the court, with the forehand looking in excellent fettle today.  2:44PM Raducanu 0-6 5-2 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard An excellent point at 15-15, as both players are striking balls deep and making each other move. Raducanu comes up trumps as Vekic hits a forehand wide – the kind of shot she was burying consistently in the first set. Raducanu puts herself in position for another break, and takes it first time of asking as Vekic makes another forehand error, sending her shot long. The Briton is now one game away from levelling the match. Raducanu broke twice in the second set to serve for the set Credit: Andrew Couldridge/Reuters 2:39PM *Raducanu 0-6 4-2 Vekic Link copied to clipboard Raducanu races to 40-0 with the crowd behind her, but gets slightly caught off guard by a very deep forehand for 40-15. Chasing down a forehand that tagged the tramline, she sends a slice forehand back and Vekic is unlucky with the top of the net, putting Raducanu 4-2 up in the set. 2:36PM Raducanu 0-6 3-2 Vekic Link copied to clipboard A considerable margin in this match in terms of the two serves: Vekic has been winning 83 per cent of her first serves, and also landing more of them, while Raducanu’s much more vanilla delivery gives her only a 60 per cent win rate. 2:35PM Raducanu 0-6 3-2 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard A few more errors creeping into Vekic’s game here, but she comes up with a huge serve out wide to steady the ship at 40-15. Another ace seals the hold and keeps Raducanu within reach in the second set.  2:31PM *Raducanu 0-6 3-1 Vekic Link copied to clipboard The crowd are doing some very heavy lifting when it comes to the momentum on Andy Murray Arena. As Raducanu seals another hold the British public are louder than they have been all afternoon. “Let’s do it Emma” and “Come on Emma” are the lines coming from her coaching box. Raducanu broke early in the second set of the Queen’s final Credit: Adrian Dennis/AFP 2:29PM Raducanu 0-6 2-1 Vekic Link copied to clipboard “Say something, you’re not saying anything!” was Raducanu’s line to her support box, just before that game. Vekic was unlikely to stay in the zone for the full two sets, and she gave enough time and space there for a brief reversal of fortunes. 2:26PM Raducanu 0-6 2-1 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard This is a big service game to see how Vekic maintains control in this match. A sign of a wobble as Raducanu goes 0-30 up, as she gets lucky with a bounce off the net and Vekic fires a forehand out wide. Raducanu creates two break point opportunities but takes the break from deuce, another error from Vekic suggesting she may be losing her cool somewhat. 2:20PM Raducanu* 0-6 1-1 Vekic Link copied to clipboard A big first serve is greeted with huge applause from the crowd as Raducanu displays some aggression. Another rare error from Vekic puts Raducanu 30-0 up, before the Croatian sends another forehand long to put her opponent on the verge of a first game in the final. As Raducanu comes towards the net, Vekic makes her third error of the game. The Briton is on the scoreboard at last. 2:17PM Raducanu 0-6 0-1 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard Thanks to the break of serve at the end of that set, Vekic starts serving again. She won 92% of her first-serve points, compared to Raducanu’s 50%. She races to 30-0, making Raducanu run along the baseline until she finds space to bury a backhand winner down the line. She continues mixing up her shots, with a dropshot sealing the next point. A rare error gets Raducanu on the board, but it is merely a consolation point as she comes to the net on the next point and buries yet another forehand winner. She is burying Raducanu, that’s seven games in a row. 2:11PM Raducanu* 0-6 Vekic Link copied to clipboard Roars from the crowd as Raducanu puts away a volley at the net to put herself on the scoreboard. She can only follow it up with a double fault though, and after both players exchange baseline shots in the next rally, Vekic seals 15-30 with a stylish dropshot. Raducanu levels on 30-30 after an error from Vekic, and after some discussion with her box, decides her toss is too low. She was so focused on the serve though that she finds the net again. Vekic does not waste any time on set point, and after a mammoth rally, the Croatian hits yet another backhand winner to seal the opening set in just 29 minutes. 2:06PM Raducanu 0-5 Vekic Link copied to clipboard Raducanu has called the trainer over, but it is only to take the strapping off her thigh before her next service game 2:05PM Raducanu 0-5 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard Both players are having some trouble with first serves, but Vekic double faults to put Raducanu 15-30 up.  Raducanu finds some joy with her slice backhand, the lower ball testing Vekic, but the Croatian is coming up with all the answers. She has been clinical. After a battle at deuce, Vekic holds on and puts herself very much in the driving seat of this first set. 1:56PM Raducanu* 0-4 Vekic Link copied to clipboard Two errors from Raducanu put her 0-30 down, before two errors from Vekic bring the game back level. Raducanu is really trying to take her time between points to find some rhythm of her own, but she double faults to give Vekic another break point opportunity. A huge, wide return of serve pushes Raducanu out wide before another Vekic forehand seals the double break. Shouts of “come on Emma” are echoing around Andy Murray Arena. 1:53PM Vekic ready to beat her second Briton at Queen’s Link copied to clipboard Devastating start from Donna Vekic who looks like she is determined to spoil the British party at Queen’s. Having already taken out one home hope on Saturday – in Katie Boulter – she has now won 12 of the first 15 points here, with five clean winners and just a single unforced error. 1:51PM Raducanu 0-3 Vekic* Link copied to clipboard A huge second serve from Vekic keeps Raducanu under pressure, and absolutely silences the crowd. Yet another forehand tags the baseline and before the British No 1 has time to react, she’s already 30-0 down. A volley at the net is what seals the third game in a row for Vekic and Raducanu has not had any time to settle into her game. 1:48PM Raducanu* 0-2 Vekic Link copied to clipboard A second serve gives Vekic some space to take control of the first rally of Raducanu’s service game, before the Briton sends a forehand long. A huge return on another second serve allows Vekic to hit a forehand winner to put pressure on Raducanu at 0-30. Though Raducanu plays a clever drop shot to bring up 15-30, Vekic hits another forehand winner to bring up two break points. A long rally sees Raducanu’s shot clip the net and bounce high for Vekic to put away another clinical forehand, giving her the early break. 1:43PM First Set: Emma Raducanu 0-1 Donna Vekic* (*denotes server) Link copied to clipboard Vekic won the toss and chose to serve first. She raced to a quick 30-0 as Raducanu struggled to return serve.  Another good serve brought up 40-0 but Raducanu hit a clean forehand winner to get herself on the scoreboard at 40-15. A fourth strong serve down the centre sealed the opening service game for the Croatian in a tidy fashion. 1:40PM Struggling for form Link copied to clipboard Both players have struggled for form recently, with Vekic reaching a career best ranking of 17 in January 2025. She has had problems with illness, like Raducanu, and coming into Queen’s she had fallen down to world No 76. Raducanu has withdrawn from several tournaments since her US Open triumph due to illness and injury, entering Queen’s as world No 42. 1:35PM Players coming onto the court Link copied to clipboard Both players are making their way on to the Andy Murray Arena to huge applause. Raducanu still has some strapping on her left thigh but is smiling as she makes her way on to court. Some warm-up on court and then we’ll be underway! 1:16PM Road to the final... Link copied to clipboard Here’s what the path looked like for both players: Emma RaducanuFirst round: Anna Blinkova 6-0, 6-3Second round: Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-2QF: Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 7-5SF: Iva Jovic 6-2, 6-2 Emma Raducanu has not dropped a set throughout the tournament Credit: Luke Walker/Getty Images Donna VekicVekic lost to Raducanu’s first-round opponent, Anna Blinkova, in qualifying but was awarded a place in the main draw when Belinda Bencic withdrew with an injury. First round: Mika Stojsavljevic 6-2, 6-3Second round: Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (11-9), 6-3QF: Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 4-6, 6-3SF: Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-3 Donna Vekic has not reached a WTA final since 2024 Credit: Paul Harding/Getty Images 11:54AM Can Raducanu take the title at Queen’s? Link copied to clipboard It’s a big day for British tennis as Emma Raducanu features in her biggest final since she stormed to US Open victory five years ago. In the first leg of this week’s double header between England and Croatia (the World Cup leg kicks off on Wednesday 9pm BST) the British No 1 will face Donna Vekic for the Queen’s title. After disappointing results in the clay-court swing – first-round defeats in Strasbourg and the French Open – Raducanu has been ruthless on grass, reaching the final without dropping a set. She played two matches on Saturday as rain hampered play on Friday, but powered through her quarter-final and semi-final in quick succession. She beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 7-5, before returning to Andy Murray arena just two and a half hours later to dispatch American teenager Iva Jovic 6-2, 6-2. The rain was not the only challenge Raducanu had to overcome. She survived an injury scare in the fifth game of the second set of her quarter-final, needing her left thigh strapped after slipping on the grass while changing direction. Though she went off court for treatment, she was able to close out the match when she returned, and only wore a small patch of strapping for her semi-final. Best of @emmaraducanu's epic semi-final win over Iva Jovic at the #HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/2re9dxCauS — HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 13, 2026 “It means everything to be doing it in front of everyone. The support all day was electric so thank you so much,” the 23-year-old said after her semi-final. “This week has been incredible, I really enjoy playing here and that shows in my tennis. Ask any British player and they would love to lift the title here.” Her Croatian opponent, who beat British No 3 Katie Boulter in straight sets in her semi-final, has also been a tour de force on the grass, dropping her only set of the tournament in her quarter-final against Karolina Pliskova. She entered the tournament as a lucky loser but has not looked back, setting up her first WTA final since 2024 and her first meeting with Raducanu. From lucky loser to the #HSBCChampionships final 👏 pic.twitter.com/Z11nXVLl3j — HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 13, 2026