Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu has announced that she will miss the next two Grand Slam tournaments after deciding to undergo ‘minor’ surgery on both of her hands and ankle.
In a statement published on social media, Raducanu confirmed her absence from the French Open and all grass court events including Wimbledon. She says she will require ‘a few months’ to recover from the procedure on her hands which is being done to address some bone pain she has been suffering from. Furthermore, the Brit will also undergo a separate procedure on her ankle.
“It is safe to say the last 10 months have been difficult as I dealt with a recurring injury to a bone of both hands,” Raducanu said on Twitter.
“I’m having a minor procedure done on both hands to resolve the issues. I’m disappointed to share that I will be out for the next few months and while I am at it will have another minor procedure that is due on my ankle.”
According to a statement issued from Raducanu’s management team to the BBC, the order of her surgeries began today with an operation on her right hand. She is then likely to have a procedure done on her right ankle before having another on her left hand. It is expected that there should be no long-term concerns about her recovery.
Since lifting her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open, Raducanu has been hampered by various injury setbacks, contributing to her mixed results on the Tour. Since the start of last year, she has suffered from issues with blisters, leg cramping, back problems, rib pain, wrist pain, glute pain and at this year’s ASB Classic in Auckland she rolled her ankle.
The decision to undergo surgery now coincides with the 20-year-old set to exit the world’s top 100 next week when the rankings are updated. She has endured a lacklustre season so far with a win-loss record of 5-5. Out of her last five tournaments played, she only won back-to-back matches in Indian Wells where she reached the fourth round before losing to Iga Swiatek.
“It pains me that I will miss the Summer events and I tried to down play the issues so I thank all my fans who continued to support me when you did not know the facts,” Raducanu added.
It is not known when Raducanu will return to the practice courts amid concerns she might not be ready in time for the US Open which begins at the end of August. She has been ranked as high as No.10 in the world with the 2021 US Open being the only WTA Tour event she has won in her career so far.
