Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon Open future is in doubt. It is due to a forced retirement from the Nottingham Open because of “an absolute freak injury”.
Emma returned to playing on her home turf after her US Open Grand Slam victory in September 2021. However she needed a medical timeout in the early stages of her match against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic after suffering a problem with her left side.
The US Open champion received treatment on court at the Nottingham Open and retired after the first set. Speaking to press she said, “The first game, an absolute freak, I think I pulled something, I am not really sure what exactly happened. I have just come off court, an absolute freak injury. I don’t know what I could have done more about it. That is it.”
She added, “I am obviously disappointed and it is really bad luck. Sometimes I feel like I have been putting really bad work in and it is almost like you just want to catch a break but I haven’t really.”
Emma Raducanu’s rib injury puts Wimbledon Open participation in doubt
Emma Raducanu has retired three times from tournaments after her heroics in 2021 US Open. Her progress on the tour in 2022 has been stunted by a string of injury issues, having struggled with hip and back injuries and blisters.
The signs of discomfort in Nottingham were there early on as Emma held her side in the opening game of the match. Her first round of treatment came at the first change of ends. Despite being able to open a 3-1 lead, it was clear she was in pain and called time having lost three games in a row.
WATCH: 👇
British No 1 Emma Raducanu says she got a great reception here in Nottingham and although the injury happened in first game, didn't want to stop, but said it was just a matter of time until she had to.@ITVCentral pic.twitter.com/YNhsN0zgqI
— Mark Kielesz-Levine (@MKLevineITV) June 7, 2022
Emma spoke about her participation in the Wimbledon Open which starts from 27th June, 2022. She said, “I have no idea (about Wimbledon). It could have just seized up and gone into spasm and then it is really bad for a few days. I am trying to keep that positive mind-set that I have been having.”
“I have prepared really well for this tournament. And I was feeling good, comfortable and I think even when I was out there, there were signs I was happy with playing more aggressively and stuff. It is just a shame.”
She added, “Right now all I can focus on is what I am doing. And I think I am doing a lot of good work. I just need to trust that it will come. Right now it is happening for a reason and I am exactly where I need to be.”
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