Emma Raducanu withdraws from Wimbledon with stress fracture
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a right-foot injury, which has developed into a stress fracture.
The British player was scheduled to compete against Antonia Ruzic on No 1 Court. Raducanu stated that she had done everything possible to be ready for the tournament, but a final scan revealed the stress fracture, leading to medical advice to stop pushing through the injury.
Raducanu expressed her disappointment, highlighting that playing at Wimbledon in front of a home crowd means a great deal to her. She thanked supporters for their encouragement during this challenging time and mentioned looking forward to returning.
Injury struggles and preparation
The right-foot injury has been a recurring issue for Raducanu in the lead-up to the Championships. She has faced physical challenges throughout the current season, including foot problems that affected her off-season training and a virus in February. She was also sidelined for two months between March and May due to a post-viral illness.
Raducanu indicated that she has been managing the current foot issue since the conclusion of the clay-court season. The injury reportedly worsened after her strong performance at the Queen’s Club tournament, where she reached the final at the start of the grass-court season.
Despite these setbacks, Raducanu had attempted to maintain a positive outlook before her withdrawal. She noted that her week at Queen’s Club had been beneficial and she aimed to build on that momentum. She acknowledged the difficulty of her season, having spent a significant amount of time out of competition.
Support from her team has been crucial during this period. Raducanu mentioned that having people around her who are pushing her in the right way and helping to keep spirits high has been invaluable, even during difficult times.
Concerns about her participation at Wimbledon had emerged earlier in the week. On Wednesday, Raducanu was seen leaving Aorangi Park, Wimbledon’s official practice area, wearing a grey immobilisation boot on her right leg. Reports from the tournament indicated that she did not practice on that day.
However, one of her representatives, Thomas Houchin, stated that Raducanu was fine and would play. He did not provide details regarding the injury or the reason for the protective boot. Raducanu was scheduled to train on Thursday at midday on Court 10.
Previous Wimbledon withdrawal
Her excellent run at the Queen’s Club had seemingly prepared her well for Wimbledon, where she had achieved her best grass-court result by reaching the final. Instead, she now faces another injury setback in her career.
Raducanu’s struggles with physical issues have been a recurring theme, leading to frustration, particularly after her first-round defeat at the French Open in May. During a press conference there, she became emotional when asked about the mental toll of managing numerous physical problems.
Leading up to her withdrawal, Raducanu’s practice schedule also raised concerns. After taking Thursday and Friday off from training, her Saturday practice session with Anna Kalinskaya was cut short due to difficulties in fully loading her heavily taped right foot. On Sunday, she returned to the courts at Aorangi Park for a one-hour practice with her hitting partner, Alexis Canter, though this session involved limited movement and no points play.
Raducanu described the uncertainty of not knowing how she would feel each day as difficult. She emphasised her commitment to doing her best daily, whether through treatments or practice, and expressed gratitude for the support system around her.
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Source: theguardian.com
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
