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Emma Raducanu Wimbledon 2021

Emma Raducanu faces Wimbledon doubts following ‘absolute freak injury’


Emma Raducanu is in danger of missing Wimbledon after suffering injury in her most recent match on the grass of Nottingham.

The Brit, 19, was forced to retire early in her first round match against Viktorija Golubic, handing the Swiss a 4-3 ret. victory.

Raducanu had called for medical attention on multiple occasions for an abdominal or rib injury before calling her time on court.

The US Open champion said: “The first game, 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.”

In-match injury is becoming a growing concern for the British number one.

This is the third time this season Raducanu has had to retire mid-match.

She did so late in a battle with Daria Saville at the Zapopan Open in Mexico in February, and again early in the second set against fellow US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in their Italian Open encounter last month.

Following that withdrawal in Rome, former world number four Tim Henman suggested the teen’s lack of off-season at the end of 2021 was a factor in her injury struggles.

He said: “She hasnโ€™t really had the opportunity to put in that work away from tournament play.”

Looking forward, the world number 11 will be prioritising her fitness for Wimbledon beginning at the end of this month.

Raducanu admitted that this injury could throw a spanner in the works of those plans.

She continued: “I have no idea [about Wimbledon.]

“[My body] could have just seized up and gone into spasm and then it is really bad for a few days.

“I have no idea, I cannot diagnose myself.

“I will get it checked out.”

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