Raducanu's Wimbledon preparations have hit a hurdle - literally! The British tennis sensation has pulled out of her scheduled practice session on Thursday, sparking concerns about the state of her shins ahead of the Grand Slam. And it looks like we might be seeing more of this orthopaedic boot than we'd like to at the All England Club.
The issue now centres around Raducanu's shin, not the left thigh problem that saw her bandaged up at Queen's a fortnight ago. Sources close to the player confirm that the 23-year-old has been dealing with this niggling injury since her run to the Queen's final - five matches in seven days, no less! That took its toll on her legs, and now she's paying the price.
Raducanu had hinted at these problems after Queen's, saying she'd been battling a few niggles over the past few weeks. And it seems we can add this latest setback to the list of physical setbacks that have plagued her since that dream run to US Open glory in 2021.
It's not just about the injury itself - it's about timing, too. With Wimbledon looming on Monday and her seeding at 30, Raducanu needs to get fit, fast! And it's hard not to think back to those other setbacks that have derailed her form throughout her career.
One thing's for sure: Raducanu will be watched closely as she prepares to face whatever challenge comes next. Can she overcome this latest hurdle and make some noise at the All England Club? The tennis world is holding its breath...