Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Wimbledon just 15 hours before her first-round match due to a stress fracture in her lower right leg.
The British No.1 was scheduled to face Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on Court 1 on Monday. Sunday evening scans confirmed the injury had worsened from a niggle she had been managing since the clay court season.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but sadly I’ve had to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon,” Raducanu wrote on Instagram. “Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process.”
The 2021 US Open champion had been wearing a protective boot and missing practice sessions throughout the week. She returned to court on Saturday but cut short a training session with Anna Kalinskaya.
Despite her withdrawal, Wimbledon rules mean Raducanu will still receive £40,000 – 50% of the first-round prize money. Players earn £80,000 for competing in the opening round, even if they lose.
This marks another injury setback for the 23-year-old, who had vowed to do everything possible to play at the All England Club.
