Emma Raducanu lost on her return to competition after more than two months away

Emma Raducanu’s long-awaited return to competitive tennis ended in disappointment as the British player fell to a straight-sets defeat against France’s Diane Parry at the Strasbourg Open.

Playing her first match in more than two months, Raducanu battled hard but failed to convert promising positions, eventually losing 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the tournament’s opening round.

The defeat marked an uncomfortable comeback for the former US Open champion, who had not competed since losing to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells in March. After a lengthy absence caused by illness and recovery, Strasbourg represented both a fresh start and a difficult test.

Raducanu entered the event still searching for rhythm, confidence and consistency.

Those challenges became clear against Diane Parry, the world No 94, whose clay-court strengths repeatedly unsettled the Briton. Parry controlled key moments with an aggressive forehand, clever variation and tactical changes that prevented Raducanu from finding sustained comfort during rallies.

The tournament also carried extra significance because it marked Raducanu’s first competitive appearance since reuniting with coach Andrew Richardson.

The pair famously worked together during her astonishing US Open triumph in 2021. Their renewed partnership has attracted attention, particularly as Raducanu attempts to rebuild momentum after a career repeatedly interrupted by injuries, physical setbacks and coaching changes.

Richardson remained vocal throughout the Strasbourg match, offering encouragement and tactical advice from courtside. Yet this reunion did not deliver an instant transformation.

Raducanu showed flashes of quality and created opportunities that could have changed the match.

She established a 4-2 advantage in both sets but struggled to maintain control. Serving problems repeatedly undermined her progress. In the opening set, she surrendered four consecutive games after moving ahead. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Parry capitalising as Raducanu’s level dipped under pressure.

Still, the contest did not slip away quietly.

With the match poised delicately in the second set, Raducanu produced one of her strongest passages of play. When Parry served for victory at 6-4, 5-4 and moved within touching distance of the finish line, the Briton responded with aggression and resilience.

She stepped inside the baseline, attacked earlier with her forehand and dragged herself back into contention. After surviving a punishing service game, she forced a tie-break and briefly reignited hopes of a comeback.

But Parry refused to lose her grip.

The French player’s clay-court expertise ultimately exposed the difference between the two competitors. She manipulated angles effectively, pulled Raducanu out of position and consistently kept the ball away from the Briton’s preferred strike zone.

Parry’s style added another layer of complexity.

Known for her rare single-handed backhand, she now frequently mixes techniques, sometimes using a two-handed return and adapting her backhand depending on the situation. The unpredictability, combined with her heavy topspin and variety, left Raducanu chasing solutions for much of the afternoon.

Raducanu’s performance also reflected the challenges of returning after illness.

The 23-year-old had been sidelined by post-viral symptoms connected to health problems dating back to February’s Middle East swing. She considered making her comeback at the Italian Open earlier this month but withdrew after training at the venue.

Now, attention turns to the bigger question surrounding her season.

Can Raducanu and Richardson build a stable, lasting partnership capable of delivering continuity both on and off the court?

For now, Strasbourg provided no fairy-tale restart. Instead, it offered a sharp reminder of how difficult the road back can be especially on clay, against a confident specialist, after months spent fighting to return.