Emma Raducanu: Brit says she has ‘nothing to lose’ against ‘home favourite’ Ons Jabeur in Abu Dhabi

Emma Raducanu insists she has “nothing to lose” against three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur when the pair clash for a place in the quarter-finals of the Abu Dhabi Open on Wednesday.

The former US Open champion has lost all four of her matches against top 10 players in her career. But rather than feeling apprehensive ahead of facing the world No. 6, Raducanu is filled with excitement.

“She’s definitely the home favourite here, rightfully so,” Raducanu said.

“I really like Ons, she’s someone who’s kind of taken me under her wing as I’ve been new to the tour.

“I’m really looking forward to it because a lot of people were saying to me [during her first-round match], ‘Oh, Ons, Ons, Ons!’ And I was like, ‘I’m playing Marie who’s ranked like 30 in the world, so that’s not an easy match!’

“But I’m really pleased to have put myself in this situation, and I’m going out with nothing to lose against her.”

Raducanu, the world No. 296, has progressed to the second round for a third tournament in a row, having returned in January following wrist and ankle surgeries.

The Tunisian reached the final of the US Open in 2022, but admits her ambition is to win Wimbledon, having lost two finals at SW19.

“But I think the preparation starts from now, everything from now.

“I think I’m learning a lot of things in my game, my mental game as well, to be prepared for these huge tournaments. But I think I’ll take it one step at a time, one month at a time, and see how it goes and hopefully be arriving healthy to Wimbledon.”

The reward for Wednesday’s winner is a last-eight match against Beatriz Haddad Maia or Magda Linette.