British tennis star Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Wimbledon on the eve of her opening-round match after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in her lower right leg, dealing a major blow to her home Grand Slam campaign. The 23-year-old former US Open champion announced her decision on Sunday via Instagram, confirming she had been medically advised to stop playing due to the worsening nature of an injury she had been managing in recent weeks.
Raducanu said she had attempted everything possible to be fit for the tournament but scans taken ahead of her scheduled match revealed that a previously managed “niggle” had developed into a stress fracture. “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,” she wrote. “I’ve been medically advised to stop pushing through.”
The British number one was due to face Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on Court One in her opening-round match on Monday. Earlier in the day, Raducanu had expressed confidence that she would be able to compete, making the late withdrawal a significant and unexpected setback for both the player and fans hoping to see her perform at Wimbledon.
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Her withdrawal comes after a disrupted preparation period in which she had struggled with recurring lower-leg discomfort. Raducanu had recently reached the final at Queen’s Club, showing signs of returning form, but subsequently pulled out of the Nottingham Open, raising concerns over her fitness. She was also unable to complete full training sessions in the days leading up to Wimbledon, with one practice cut short due to pain.
Raducanu has faced a series of injury and health setbacks since her breakthrough victory at the 2021 US Open, when she became the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam title. Since then, her career has been hampered by recurring physical issues, including wrist and ankle surgeries, as well as a post-viral illness earlier this season that affected her preparation and performance at key tournaments.
Her absence from Wimbledon adds to a challenging period in her career, marked by coaching changes, inconsistent form and repeated injury interruptions. She had already missed both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2023 following surgeries, and ended the previous season early due to illness. Despite recent progress under coach Andrew Richardson, her latest injury has once again halted momentum at a crucial stage.
The Wimbledon Championships run from June 29 to July 12, and Raducanu’s withdrawal reshapes the women’s draw, removing one of the home favourites from contention. While disappointment surrounds her absence, attention now turns to her recovery timeline, with medical guidance suggesting a period of rest and rehabilitation will be necessary before she can return to competitive action.
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