“You are invited to all the matches” » Emma Răducanu, delighted by the support of an Australian fan: “I hope he will come back”
Article by David Istrate – Published Monday, January 19, 2026, 11:45 / Updated Monday, January 19, 2026 11:47
Emma Răducanu (23 years old, 29 WTA) made her debut at the Australian Open, winning the first round duel with Mananchaya Sawangkaew (23 years old, 197 WTA) 6-4, 6-1. At the end of the game, the Brit especially thanked an Australian fan, who supported her throughout the match.
After the surprise elimination in HobartEmma Răducanu had a few days to recharge her batteries before the start of the Australian Open. The 23-year-old athlete has reached the side of the table of the world leader Aryna Sabalenka (27 years old), whom she can meet in the 3rd round.
Emma Răducanu, impressed by the support of an Australian: “He can come to any match”
Meanwhile, Răducanu played Mananchaya Sawangkaew and, after a more balanced first set, dominated her opponent from Thailand and prevailed 6-4, 6-1 in one hour and 12 minutes.
“I thought she played incredibly well, so I'm proud of the way we fought in the first set. She played incredibly, at a much higher level than her place in the rankings, and I'm sure she will do good things this year“, said Răducanu, quoted by the Daily Mail.
The world number 29 thanked the crowd for their support and took particular aim at an Australian man who cheered her on throughout the match.
“Thank you for your support, it's been incredible. I want to give a special mention to “Raddo”, which is apparently my new nickname. You are invited to all the matches, just let my agent know and you will be here“, Răducanu said.
“I enjoyed the support. Having him around in the big moments gave me a lot of encouragement. He can come to any game. I just have to locate him. I hope he comes back,” she added.
“Rado apparently is my new nickname” 😂
Emma Raducanu has a new number one fan in Australia 🤝
📺 Watch and stream the 2026 Australian Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/2Z7R1l1heO
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) January 18, 2026
James Bray, fan of Emma Răducanu: “Her agent contacted me and I have tickets to the next match”
I'm a huge Emma fan. I went to the game and cheered her on and being an Aussie I like to shorten names as much as I can. So I thought it was quite clever to call him Rado instead of Răducanu, but maybe it wasn't.
I woke up with 1000 messages from family, friends… telling me that they saw me, that they saw my face.
Her agent contacted me and I have tickets to the next match. I hope they get to the final because I would love to go to Rod Laver Arena for the final. I encourage her. I think if things go according to plan, he will face Sabalenka in round 3. It will be tough. But you know what? He can do it. He's won before, he has a Grand Slam title and I'm sure he can do it again
– James Bray, fan of Emma Răducanuin an interview with Herald Sun Sport
James Bray, fan of Emma Răducanu/Photo: capture X (Herald Sun Sport)
Emma Răducanu, duel with Anastasia Potapova in the second round of the Australian Open
In the second round, Răducanu will meet Anastasia Potapova (24 years old, 55 WTA)who won 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 over Suzan Lamens (26, 97 WTA).
“I came to Australia not knowing how it was going to go and now I'm in a much better place and I'm making progress day by day. I could have easily been frustrated that I didn't have the pre-season I wanted,” the Briton said of her start to the season.
“I started training very, very late and so I feel I had to take the pressure off myself and not expect to play tennis at an extraordinary level“, Răducanu explained.
If she defeats Potapova, Răducanu will most likely duel with Aryna Sabalenka in the 3rd round of the Australian Open.
