Wimbledon's biggest question mark has just got a whole lot bigger - and it's Emma Raducanu's name at the centre of the uncertainty. The 2021 US Open champion was forced to abandon her practice session on Saturday afternoon, two days before her scheduled first-round match, casting a dark cloud over her chances of success.
Raducanu has been battling a right foot injury since her impressive run to the final at Queen's Club and it looks like it's still causing her serious trouble. We know she hadn't trained for the previous two days, and we've seen her wearing a medical boot on her right foot - not exactly what you want to see from someone who's supposed to be firing on all cylinders.
She took to the Aorangi Park practice courts with Anna Kalinskaya on Saturday afternoon, but it was clear she was struggling. The heavy taping on her right ankle and lower leg told its own story - and when she was required to move dynamically during points, the discomfort became evident. She trailed 0-4, 0-15 in the practice set before netting a backhand shot while off-balance, prompting her to call it quits.
The fact that Raducanu's pre-tournament media commitments were rescheduled for Sunday only adds to the concern - and this latest setback is yet another frustrating chapter in her injury-plagued career. We've seen her withdraw from championships due to ankle, wrist, and back issues, and it looks like she's got her work cut out to get fit for Wimbledon.
Raducanu had shown promising form during the grass-court season, reaching the Queen's Club final and putting herself right back in contention. But now, all eyes are on her ability to overcome this latest physical hurdle - can she turn it around and get ready for Antonia Ruzic in the first round? Time will tell.
Source: UKPulse Media observations, tournament organisers