Online Reporter
EMMA RADUCANU is out of Wimbledon due to a stress fracture in her shin — in a bitter blow for British tennis.
Fifteen hours before she was due to face Croatian Antonia Ruzic on No1 Court at 1pm yesterday, the 23-year-old was forced to withdraw from the competition.
The issue to her right ankle and lower shin meant she did not feel ready to play the best of three-set tennis at her home Slam.
Following a scan on Sunday, medics told her she had to rest and not “push” herself to the limit. On her Instagram story, she 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.
“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.”
Raducanu was first spotted wearing a support around the area on Saturday as she did an hour-long training session at Aorangi Park. But it was during a scheduled hit with Russian Anna Kalinskaya, the No19 seed, that she showed discomfort while moving and serving.
On Sunday, she practised for an hour and then told the world’s media that she was planning to play – though she accepted the risks.
However, after spending the evening with her team, she was advised by doctors not to play, even though it is the biggest event on her calendar.
The injury was sustained during her run to the Queen’s final two weeks ago, notably the penultimate day of the event where she played twice, in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, within the space of a few hours.
Ever since she won the US Open in 2021, a result that sent shockwaves across professional sport, Raducanu has been beset with injuries and fitness problems.
This is the first time she has had to pull out of a major once the draw has been made and she is set to take home 50 per cent — £40,000 — of the record £80,000 first-round prize money.
It is a major blow to her sponsors Uniqlo and Evian, particularly as there are numerous adverts around Wimbledon and on the tubes.
Raducanu, who has reached two finals in 2026, had done so well in recent months to improve her ranking that she would be seeded for Wimbledon.
Her spot in the draw — she was the No.30 seed — will be taken by a lucky loser from qualifying —Sun.
