Emma Raducanu is optimistic she will be able to take to the courts at Wimbledon on Monday but the reality of it happening is far from certain.
The British No.1 has been troubled by an injury issue that forced her to withdraw from practice earlier in the week before returning to the courts again today in what appeared to be a test of her fitness. Addressing the ‘niggle’ for the first time on Sunday afternoon, Raducanu confirmed she is currently dealing with a lower leg issue and has vowed to ‘do everything with her team in terms of treatment’ to enable her to play.
“I have a lower-leg niggle that I’ve been dealing with since before Queen’s, actually, from the back end of the clay court season. I’ve been managing it,” she explained.
“I think it’s something that I’d say recently has probably, after Queen’s maybe, during that week, was a lot of load for me. Five matches after having not competed for a while, I think it was just a lot of load.
“I’m just managing it with my team as best as I possibly can, exhausting all options and doing what we can.”
It is a frustrating situation for Raducanu, who earlier this month played in her first WTA 500 final at the HSBC Championships. This was her most high-profile final since winning the US Open back in 2021.
“All I want to do is to keep building on that momentum,” Raducanu said.
“I’ve had a tough start to the season, a lot of time out. I think hearing and feeling this is difficult. I have great people around me.”
Earlier this season, Raducanu missed nearly two months of the Tour due to a post-viral illness. In the past, she has also been troubled by issues with her back, wrist and ankle.
As for her latest problem, the Brit is trying to balance risk with reward. Since making her debut in 2021, Raducanu has only missed Wimbledon once during 2023, when she underwent multiple surgeries. She has reached the fourth round twice so far in her career.
“I just have to be aware of the risks I’m taking stepping out onto the court, weighing up if I’m willing to do that,” Raducanu concluded.
Raducanu is the 30th seed in this year’s draw and will play Antonia Ružić in her opening match, scheduled to get underway on Court One at 13:00 GMT on Monday.
