British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon just hours before her scheduled opening match, announcing on Sunday evening that she has sustained a stress fracture in her lower right leg. The 23-year-old, who was seeded 30th for the home Grand Slam, was due to face Croatia's Antonia Ruzic on Court One on Monday.
Raducanu's decision followed a day of intense speculation and a rollercoaster of updates regarding her fitness. Earlier on Sunday, she had told journalists she was prepared to push through the pain barrier to compete at the All England Club. However, a final scan revealed the severity of the issue, prompting medical advice to cease playing. "I've done everything possible to try to get to the start line but after a final scan tonight the niggle I've been managing has developed into a stress fracture," Raducanu stated. "I've been medically advised to stop pushing through."
Concerns over Raducanu's physical condition had been mounting throughout the preceding week. She was seen wearing a protective boot on Wednesday and was unable to train on Thursday and Friday due to what was believed to be a shin problem. Despite returning to the court for practice sessions on Saturday and Sunday, with strapping on her lower right leg, it became evident that the injury was more serious than initially hoped, ultimately leading to her reluctant withdrawal.
This latest setback adds to a challenging period for Raducanu, whose promising career has been frequently interrupted by various injuries since her historic US Open triumph in 2021. Previous issues include bone bruising on her right foot that ended her 2025 season and a viral illness earlier this year that severely limited her match play. Despite a recent resurgence, reaching the final of the Queen's tournament, her body has once again let her down at a crucial moment.
Raducanu expressed her deep disappointment, saying, "Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process." She acknowledged the ongoing support from her team, family, and friends, which she hopes will help her navigate this challenging time. The withdrawal is a significant blow for British tennis fans who had harboured hopes of a strong run from the young star at her home Grand Slam.