Emma Raducanu pays Rafael Nadal tribute as early exit struggles continue at Miami Open

Emma Raducanu paid a subtle tribute to Rafael Nadal after her Miami Open loss, while the Spaniard is currently sidelined with a rib injury. The 19-year-old continued her string of early exits for the season as she crashed out to Katerina Siniakova in three sets on Thursday.

Raducanu has struggled with injuries and niggles so far in her first full season on the pro tour. The world No 13 caught Covid in the pre-season, suffered severe blistering at the Australian Open, picked up a leg injury in Mexico and dealt with a stiff back last week in Indian Wells as her body adjusted to the demands of the tour. Her best showing of the year so far came at the BNP Paribas Open, where she made it to the third round before losing to Petra Martic.

But it was another round two loss for the Bromley teenager in Miami on Thursday, as she received a bye past the first round and made her Miami Open debut against Katerina Siniakova - the world No 1 doubles player. It looked to finally be smooth sailing for Raducanu, who has played some marathon matches already this season, as she went a set and a break up while the Czech player appeared to be struggling with injuries but Siniakova fired back to win 3-6 6-4 7-5 in just under three hours.

The 19-year-old had even served for the match at 5-4 in the third but went on to lose the next three games, costing her the match. When she arrived for her post-match press conference, Raducanu was donning a Rafael Nadal cap made by both players' sponsor Nike. The 21-time Major champion is the brand's top male tennis player signing and, as a result, has his own custom bull logo put onto his own range of clothes, match kit and accessories.

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