Emma Raducanu withdraws from Wimbledon with stress fracture hours after planning to play

Injury fears mount

Raducanu had been managing a lower-leg niggle since the Queen's Club final on 14 June. She was seen in a protective boot on Wednesday, missed practice on Thursday and Friday, and cut short a session with Anna Kalinskaya on Saturday after losing the opening four games. Despite the disrupted build-up, a short practice on Sunday gave her confidence to tell journalists she intended to play her first-round match.

I'm going to do everything with my team in terms of treatment. That's the plan right now, to play.

Late-night withdrawal

A final scan Sunday evening changed everything. The niggle had progressed into a stress fracture, and doctors advised her to stop. Shortly after 22:00 BST, Raducanu posted on Instagram that she was pulling out of the tournament.

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.

She had been due to start on Court One on Monday afternoon. The All England Club event runs from 29 June to 12 July.

A season of setbacks

Raducanu, now 23, has rarely been free of physical trouble since winning the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier. This season opened with a foot injury, then a post-viral illness that kept her off court from February to May, and a first-round loss to Solana Sierra at the French Open. Her run to the Queen's final, only her second final since New York, had briefly raised hopes for a home grand slam.

I think risk is always a factor. I think there are certain tournaments you're willing to do more for, put yourself on the line more for, risk more for. For me, of course, Wimbledon is that.