Emma Raducanu had been laughing her way through a practice session on Sunday morning, joking with her coach and stopping to chat with former coach Francis Roig on the Aorangi Park courts. Hours later, at 22:00 BST, the 23-year-old British No 1 announced she would not play at Wimbledon after a final scan revealed the niggle in her lower right leg had developed into a stress fracture.
Raducanu, the 30th seed, had been due to open her campaign on Monday against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on No 1 Court. She had spent the past week managing the injury, spotted in a protective boot on Wednesday and unable to train on Thursday and Friday because of what was believed to be a shin problem. A practice session on Saturday with Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya was cut short with 10 minutes remaining. On Sunday morning she appeared more positive, hitting with partner Alexis Canter, though the session was less rigorous than the test against Kalinskaya.
“Emma Raducanu pulls out of Wimbledon on eve of first-round match due to stress fracture in right leg.”
In her pre-tournament press conference earlier on Sunday, Raducanu said she was willing to push herself and take more risk for Wimbledon. “I think there are certain tournaments you're willing to do more for, put yourself on the line more for, risk more for,” she said. “For me, Wimbledon is that.” Yet later that evening she wrote on Instagram: “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but sadly I’ve had to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon. 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 and I’ve been medically advised to stop pushing through.”
The withdrawal is the latest injury setback for the 2021 US Open champion, who has twice reached the fourth round at Wimbledon. She missed most of the off-season with foot problems, struggled with a virus in February, and was sidelined between March and May with post-viral illness. The current issue began after the clay-court season and worsened after her run to the final of the Queen’s Club tournament. “Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process,” Raducanu added. “I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement.” Those who had seen her cheerful demeanour just hours earlier were left wondering what might have been.