Emma Raducanu could pull out of Wimbledon on Sunday, just a day before she is scheduled to play at the grass-court Grand Slam. The British No.1 sparked major concerns after cutting a practice session short on Saturday and subsequently cancelling her media appearance.
Practice Session Abandoned
Raducanu booked two training sessions on Saturday. She first hit at Aorangi Park before playing a practice set with Anna Kalinskaya on Court 3. However, after going 4-0 down, she gestured to stop and left the court around 10 minutes early. Her right ankle was strapped during both sessions. These were her first on-site practice sessions since Monday.
The 23-year-old was due to address the media later on Saturday afternoon at the All England Club, but her press conference was cancelled about 20 minutes after the practice session ended. It has been rescheduled for Sunday.
Fitness Concerns
Raducanu had been seen wearing a protective boot earlier in the week, according to reports. The former US Open champion was joined at both sessions by her coach Andrew Richardson, hitting partner Alexis Canter, physiotherapist Emma Stewart, and mentor Jane O’Donoghue.
The No. 30 seed has drawn world No. 60 Antonia Ruzic in the first round, scheduled for 1pm on Court 1 on Monday. But serious questions remain about her fitness to compete.
Support from Fellow Players
British No.2 Katie Boulter expressed support for Raducanu, saying: “I completely trust her and her team will make the right decision no matter what. I think that's something that she's always been really good at. I think in the moment, at that time, she will know what's best for her.”
Boulter added: “Obviously, don't want to ever see a British player come out of their home Slam. I don't want to see that. I've been there, done that, don't want to see it. It's not a nice feeling for anyone. I hope she's absolutely fine. I really do. And if she's not, she's going to be here another 10 years, so she's going to have every single year to play. I'm always right behind Emma. I hope she's okay.”
Recent Injury History
Raducanu has been managing a niggle following her recent run to the Queen’s final. She spent more than two months sidelined by post-viral illness and returned to the tour in May, losing two clay matches. She then finished runner-up at the WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club earlier this month, where rain delays forced her to play three matches in 28 hours—a significant increase in load after months out of action.
She pulled out of the Nottingham Open the following week, citing a schedule change, and did not take a wildcard into this week’s Eastbourne Open, opting instead for a practice week ahead of Wimbledon. However, she did not train at the All England Club for four days until Saturday’s attempt. She has scheduled another practice session for Sunday at 11am.
