Emma Raducanu has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a stress fracture in her foot, just hours before she was scheduled to play her first-round match. The 23-year-old British tennis star confirmed the withdrawal on Sunday evening, saying the injury had worsened despite her efforts to manage it.
Late withdrawal after scan reveals stress fracture
Raducanu was due to face Antonia Ruzic at 1pm on Monday, but a final scan on Sunday night revealed that the nagging injury she had been managing had developed into a stress fracture. Medical advice compelled her to pull out of her home Grand Slam.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Raducanu wrote: 'Hi everyone, 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.'
Emotional impact of missing home Grand Slam
Raducanu expressed the emotional toll of the decision, stating: 'Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process.' She thanked fans for their support, adding: 'I look forward to seeing you when I’m back.'
The withdrawal came as a late decision, as earlier on Sunday Raducanu had indicated she planned to play. After a practice session, she said: 'I’m going to do everything with my team in terms of treatment. The plan right now is to play.' She also noted that the Queen’s tournament, where she played five matches after a period without competition, may have contributed to the injury.
Raducanu's recent form and injury history
Raducanu had been managing the foot issue for some time, but the stress fracture forced her to prioritize recovery. The injury is a significant setback for the former US Open champion, who has struggled with various injuries since her breakthrough in 2021. Her absence is a blow to the tournament and British tennis fans.
