A Sudden Withdrawal
British tennis star Emma Raducanu has officially withdrawn from Wimbledon just hours before her scheduled first-round match against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic. The 23-year-old, who was seeded 30th, announced the decision late Sunday evening after medical imaging revealed a stress fracture in her right lower leg.
The withdrawal comes as a major blow to the tournament and home supporters, who had high expectations following Raducanu’s strong performance at the Queen’s Club grass-court event earlier this month. Raducanu had been managing what she described as a “niggle” in her leg since that tournament, but the condition deteriorated rapidly during her final preparations at the All England Club.
Rising Concerns and Medical Advice
Fitness concerns had mounted throughout the week as Raducanu was seen wearing a protective boot during training sessions. Although she attempted to return to the practice courts on Saturday and Sunday, the discomfort proved insurmountable. “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,” Raducanu stated on social media.
Prior to the final scan, the 2021 US Open champion had acknowledged the risks of competing, noting that Wimbledon is a tournament for which she would be willing to “push beyond” her usual limits. However, she confirmed that she was ultimately “medically advised to stop pushing through.”