Emma Raducanu is reportedly facing a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon after recently being seen wearing a protective boot on her foot.
Tennis publication CLAY reportedly spotted the British No.1 leaving Aorangi Park with an orthopaedic boot on her right foot. Raducanu was then absent from the practice schedule at Wimbledon today. At the moment, the only public acknowledgement of the issue has come from a representative of the tennis players’ camp, who has downplayed its significance.
“Emma is absolutely fine. She will play tomorrow,” representative Thomas Houchin told Clay without elaborating any further.
To add to the confusion, BBC Sport reports that the issue Raducanu is dealing with is shin-related, based on their sources. If this is the case, it is unclear as to why she was wearing the protective boot.
The injury worries came after the Brit produced her best run at a Tour-level grass court event at the HSBC Championships earlier this month. Rasducanu reached her first WTA 500 final before losing to Donna Vekic in two sets. She then opted to withdraw from the Nottingham Open following that run.
“I have just been dealing with a few niggles over the past few weeks, and of course the load I have had in the last week – it’s been a great problem to have, playing this many matches.” She told reporters after the Queen’s final.
Despite being only 23, Raducanu has been hampered by various injury setbacks since winning the 2021 US Open. Wrist and ankle surgeries forced her to miss a large chunk of the 2023 season. On top of this, she has struggled with back and foot issues. Earlier this year, she also missed tournaments due to a viral illness.
Raducanu is defending 130 points at The All England Club following her run to the third round last year. She was knocked out of the tournament by world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who prevailed in two tightly contested sets.
Raducanu’s best Wimbledon result is reaching the fourth round twice in 2021 and 2024. The main draw for this year’s tournament takes place on Friday morning, with the tournament getting underway on Monday.
