Raducanu positioned herself behind the umpire's chair and there were no microphones to pick up what was said, though Muchova sensed that her opponent was struggling and consoled her as the Briton dabbed her eyes with a towel.

Emma Raducanu fought through a fit of tears and breathing difficulties but could not avoid a 7-6, 6-4 defeat to Karolina Muchova in Dubai. On Sunday, Raducanu had snapped a four-match losing streak in the previous round by beating Maria Sakkari, beginning to justify her third consecutive wildcard appearance in the Middle East.