Emma Raducanu has been hit with a huge setback ahead of the Australian Open after suffering an injury at the ASB Classic.
The 20-year-old was reduced to tears on the court when she was forced to retire from her match with Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova.”
Raducanu dominated the first set 6-0 but after losing the second 5-7, she rolled her ankle and was unable to continue.
With the Australian Open just 11 days away, doubts have been cast over whether the Brit will be able to recover in time for just her second ever career visit to Melbourne Park.
Fans of Raducanu have offered their support for the former US Open champion and are hoping she will be able to make it to the first Grand Slam of 2023.
“Devastated for her,” one wrote. “It may seem like it’s just one injury after another, but ‘this too shall pass.’ So many more great days ahead.”
“Absolutely brutal luck for Emma, as she was playing well this week,” said another, who hopes the injury will heal in time for the Australian Open.
A third reflected on her torrid injury history and said it “seems she’s had more injuries by age 20 than most have in their whole careers.”
