Emma Raducanu, the British No1, is facing a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon after she missed a scheduled practice session on Thursday and was reportedly seen wearing a protective boot. The 23-year-old, who reached the final at Queen's Club a fortnight ago, has not played since then, and her representatives have confirmed she is managing a slight knock.
Injury Concerns Emerge
Raducanu was pictured practising and walking around the All England Club on Monday, but she failed to appear for her scheduled practice at 12pm on Thursday. A journalist reported seeing her in a medical boot, casting doubt on her ability to compete at her home Grand Slam. The former US Open champion has a history of persistent injury problems, which have often disrupted her season.
Recent Form and Fitness
Despite her injury setbacks, Raducanu appeared to be in top form at Queen's Club, where she defeated several top players before falling to lucky loser Donna Vekic in the final on Andy Murray Arena. She decided against playing additional grass-court tournaments at Nottingham, Berlin, and Eastbourne, even though she was on the entry list for Nottingham. This decision was reportedly because she did not feel the need for more match practice ahead of Wimbledon.
Raducanu's fitness has been a concern throughout the year. She was badly ill earlier this season and missed over two months due to a virus. During the clay-court swing, she played only two matches. She recently rehired Andrew Richardson as her head coach, the same coach who guided her to her stunning US Open title in 2021.
Wimbledon Participation in Doubt
The timing of this injury scare is particularly concerning, as Wimbledon is just days away. Raducanu's representatives have not provided further details on the severity of the knock, but the sight of her in a protective boot and the missed practice session suggest that her participation is uncertain. Fans and pundits alike will be anxiously awaiting updates on her condition.
