Emma Raducanu suffered a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) defeat to Diane Parry of France in her first clay court tournament of 2026 at the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Tuesday.
Raducanu returned to the WTA Tour after missing more than two months with a post-viral illness.
The former US Open champion accepted an alternate berth in the WTA 500 event, and she was joined by Andrew Richardson after re-appointing the US Open-winning coach.
Parry went into the clash with Raducanu, who had won the Clarins WTA 125 in Paris on Sunday, after her opponent Madison Keys was unable to continue in the final despite winning the first set.
Wearing heavy bandages on his left thigh, the French No. 4 appeared tired from his travels compared to his opponent, who was playing his first match since a thrashing at the hands of Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells.
Raducanu, who has dropped to 37th in the rankings, looked sharp with his movement and received an early tonic by breaking for a 4-2 lead in the opening set.
But the British No.1 gave her advantage in the next game and, as the court dried up after an early start in Strasbourg, a third double fault from Raducanu followed by a pounding Parry forehand secured a third break in a row, but more importantly it gave the French a chance to serve for the set.
World No. 94 Parry earned a couple of break points for Raducanu and, urged on by her home fans, sealed the set in 56 minutes of a fluctuating back-and-forth clash.
Raducanu gathered his thoughts to compose himself and pounce on a 4-2 advantage, but in a mirror image of the opener, the gifted 23-year-old Parry produced an immediate break back.
The double faults piled up for Raducanu and an eighth followed by a wild forehand gave Parry an opportunity to serve it out, but a superb return game denied the Frenchwoman as the Brit leveled at 5-5.
They traded breaks of service again in a match of intense drama as the contest went into a tie-break.
Despite a valiant effort from Raducanu, it was Parry who capitalized on a couple of mistakes to secure victory and avenge his defeat to the Briton in a 2024 Billie Jean King Cup qualifying rubber.
Raducanu will now enter the French Open, which begins on May 24, with just one clay court match under his belt.
Henman: Raducanu’s coaching change comes at a perfect time
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Both Tim Henman and Laura Robson think Raducanu’s reunion with Andrew Richardson is a good move
Former British No.1 Tim Henman recently endorsed Raducanu’s decision to reappoint Richardson ahead of a huge summer of tennis.
Raducanu was heavily criticized for removing Richardson shortly after her stunning win in New York in 2021. At the time, the now 23-year-old said she felt she needed someone with WTA Tour experience, but almost five years and a host of short-term appointments later, Raducanu has again turned to Richardson.
“Grateful to reconnect with someone who has known me for over a decade now, and looking forward to building together one iteration at a time,” said Raducanu.
It continues a pattern of Raducanu favoring coaches she worked with before her rapid rise to superstardom – a decision four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Henman considers the right call.
“I think it’s great that Andrew is back to support Emma and I can only say that I hope it lasts a bit longer,” Henman said. Sky Sports.
“They had an incredible run in America all those years ago and it stopped working after that. She’s been through a lot of other trainers between now and then.
“They obviously have a relationship from the past – Emma obviously trusts Andrew – and I think consistency and continuity is really important, especially at this time of year.
“She has the French Open coming up, but then the grass court season is when the spotlight will be at its most intense – before Wimbledon and Wimbledon.”
Former British No.1 Laura Robson feels Raducanu’s decision to reunite with Richardson will help her feel more relaxed knowing a “familiar voice”.
She said: “At this stage she’s trying to come back from a long illness over the last few months, so to come back with a familiar voice, someone that you already trust, someone that you’ve been through so much with, probably feels quite relaxing in a way.
“Having the same ideas about what they’re trying to do with her game on the court makes a big difference. Obviously, it’s worked in the past, so why not give it round two?”
London’s Copper Box is to host the GB Davis Cup match
Great Britain’s Davis Cup match against Ecuador on September 19 and 20 will be held at London’s Copper Box Arena.
Leon Smith’s side will take on the South Americans for a place in the final 8 of the competition after sweeping aside Norway 4-0 in their first round qualifier.
Smith said: “This will be our first home game since 2024 so we are really looking forward to bringing the Davis Cup to the Copper Box in September.
“It’s a great venue and having a home crowd that creates that special Davis Cup atmosphere that we love can make a big difference as we face a tough battle against Ecuador for a place in the Final 8.”
The last time Great Britain hosted Ecuador in the competition, in 2000, they crashed to a shock 3-2 defeat at the All England Club.
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