The British No. 1 was trailing 6-1 4-1 against Ann Li in hot and humid conditions when she ended proceedings.
Raducanu was making her debut at the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan and had earlier posted a screenshot on social media showing the temperature was 34c but feels like 37c.
Play was suspended on the outdoor courts on Monday due to the heat and Dayana Yastremska retired in the third set of her opening match against Laura Siegemund.
Raducanu, who was playing her third tournament on the Asia swing, had won the opening game against Li, putting away a volley winner to break.
But Li hit back with six straight games to take the first set.
| Emma Raducanu is currently ranked at No. 30 in the world and a good run in Wuhan would have boosted her chances of being seeded for the 2026 Australian Open. Raducanu is scheduled to play two more tournaments this year in Ningbo and Tokyo. She hadn’t lost in the first round of a tournament since Indian Wells in March. The top 32 players in the world are seeded at Grand Slams. |
Raducanu looked to be struggling in the conditions as she double-faulted three times in the opening games of the second set.
She managed to hold serve, but was soon broken and Li opened up a 4-1 lead before the British No. 1 retired.
Raducanu is scheduled to play in two more tournaments in Asia before finishing her 2025 season.
She has accepted a wildcard for the WTA 500 event in Ningbo which starts on October 13 and is entered into the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, which starts on October 20.
She is currently ranked at No. 30 in the world and will be aiming to be in the top 32 to be seeded for the 2026 Australian Open, which starts on January 12.
Heat rule used as Osaka battles to win
Naomi Osaka earned her first career win in Wuhan as she fought back to beat Leylah Fernandez 4-6 7-5 6-3.
Osaka double-faulted on the opening point of the match and lost the first set as Fernandez dropped just five points on serve.
The second set featured five breaks of serve and a combined 13 break points, with Osaka prevailing to level the contest.
The heat rule was called into effect after the set, with both players accepting the option to leave the court and take a 10-minute break.
Osaka made the better start after the break as she opened up a 4-1 lead.
The four-time Grand Slam winner secured the win on her second match point with a backhand winner.
“Mentally it was just really tough for me today,” said Osaka.
“And I think it’s a part of the season that’s just tough. But I think I’m, like, really happy to have gotten through it, and I think it’ll be easier from now on.”
