Emma Raducanu, the British number one, has officially withdrawn from Wimbledon. The announcement came on Sunday, just one day before her scheduled first-round match, due to a stress fracture in her lower right leg.
Event Context
The 23-year-old former US Open champion took to Instagram to share her decision regarding her upcoming match. “I’ve done everything possible to try to get to the start line tomorrow, but after a final scan tonight, the niggle I’ve been managing has developed into a stress fracture,” stated the 30th seed. “I’ve been medically advised to stop pushing through.”
Raducanu was set to compete against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on Court One this Monday. Earlier on Sunday, she had expressed her intention to play.
Reunited with coach Andrew Richardson, Raducanu recently reached the final at Queen’s Club but withdrew from the Nottingham Open, sparking concerns about her fitness. She faced difficulties in training last week and had to cut a practice session short on Saturday due to discomfort in her lower leg. “I have a lower-leg niggle that I’ve been managing since before Queen’s, actually stemming from the latter part of the clay court season,” Raducanu explained.
Since her remarkable win at the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier, Raducanu’s career has been marred by injuries and illnesses, along with multiple coaching changes. Earlier this season, she endured a post-viral illness and a back issue, culminating in a first-round exit at the French Open.
In 2023, Raducanu was unable to compete at both the French Open and Wimbledon due to procedures on her hands and ankle, and she also had to end the previous season prematurely because of illness.
The Wimbledon tournament is scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 12.
