Tennis world left gutted over fresh Emma Raducanu drama: ‘Really sad’
Emma Raducanu has raised fears about her participation at Wimbledon after suffering a fresh injury blow at the grass-court event in Nottingham.
The US Open champion has suffered a number of worrying injuries in recent months and was once again forced to retire hurt in the opening round in Nottingham on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old had to pull the pin just seven games into her match against Viktorija Golubic because a side injury.
Raducanu could be seen grabbing at her side in the opening game of the match and struggled for the remainder, calling a medical timeout but never recovering.
Playing her first match on home soil since she won the US Open in September, Raducanu said she had “no idea” whether she will be fit for Wimbledon at the end of the month.
“The first game, an absolute freak, I think I pulled something, I am not really sure what exactly happened,” she said.
“I need to get a scan first. I am not going to ‘Google doctor’ myself. I will get it checked out. Then we will see from there.
“I have no idea (about Wimbledon). It could have just seized up and gone into spasm and then it is really bad for a few days.
“I cannot diagnose myself. I will get it checked out.”
It was the third time Raducanu has withdrawn from a tournament due to injury since she burst onto the tennis scene with her stunning US Open triumph.
The World No.11 also bowed out of matches in Guadalajara in February and Rome in May, and is due to play in Birmingham next week.
The latest retirement raises further questions about Raducanu’s fitness as she continues to struggle with the physical demands of life on the WTA Tour.
The British teenager, who made her WTA debut at Nottingham 12 months ago, has not won more than two matches at a tournament since her remarkable journey from the qualifying rounds to the title at the US Open.
