Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Wimbledon after scans confirmed that the leg injury she had been managing is a stress fracture. The British No. 1 had addressed the media at the All England Club on Sunday, insisting she was still planning to face Antonia Ruzic in her first-round match on Court One on Monday, as per ESPN. However, further medical assessment later that evening revealed the injury was more serious than initially feared, forcing Raducanu to pull out of her home Grand Slam for the second time in four years.
Raducanu's Statement on Social Media
Writing on Instagram, the 23-year-old said: "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." She added: "Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process. I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement. Especially at a time like this, it is invaluable. I look forward to seeing you when I'm back."
Fitness Concerns Leading Up to the Tournament
Raducanu's fitness concerns first surfaced on Wednesday when she was reportedly seen wearing a protective boot. She did not return to the practice courts until Saturday, where she trained with heavy strapping on her lower right leg. During the session, the British No. 1 moved gingerly and cut short her practice against Russia's Anna Kalinskaya after losing four consecutive games, further fuelling doubts over her fitness ahead of Wimbledon. This is the second time Raducanu has missed Wimbledon due to injury; she also withdrew in 2023 after undergoing surgery on both wrists and one ankle.
Impact on Wimbledon Draw
Raducanu's withdrawal opens up the draw in the women's singles, as she was seeded and considered a potential dark horse on grass. The All England Club will now announce a lucky loser to fill her spot in the main draw. Raducanu's absence is a blow to British tennis fans who were eager to see her play on home soil, especially after her run to the fourth round at the 2024 US Open and her recent form on grass courts.
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