Emma Raducanu Wimbledon Withdrawal Fears After Training Cut Short 2026

Garrett Baumann
Emma Raducanu Wimbledon Withdrawal Fears After Training Cut Short - grandgoldman.com
This page may contain affiliate links.

Emma Raducanu's Wimbledon participation is in serious doubt after the British No 1 was forced to abruptly end a practice session at the All England Club just two days before her scheduled first-round match. The 30th seed had been managing a right foot injury since her impressive run to the final at Queen's Club, and her latest setback has sparked intense speculation about a potential withdrawal from the Grand Slam event.

Raducanu had not trained for two days after being spotted leaving the venue wearing a medical boot on her right foot. She returned to the practice courts on Saturday afternoon with heavy tape on her right ankle and lower leg, initially warming up with Anna Kalinskaya on the Aorangi Park practice courts before moving to Court 3. However, her mood quickly soured once she was forced to move dynamically during points.


25% Off All iHerb Brands

Find Bleeding Edge Supplements at Scandalous Prices on iHerb.


Practice Session Cut Short

The former US Open champion struggled to push off her right ankle when striking the ball, and her frustration became evident. Down 0-4, 0-15, Raducanu netted a backhand while off-balance and then gestured to Kalinskaya that she could no longer continue. After embracing the Russian at the net, Raducanu and her coaching team left the court in a solemn mood with 15 minutes still remaining in their scheduled session.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kalinskaya and her team finished their court time with feeding drills, while Raducanu's pre-tournament media duties, originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, were rescheduled for Sunday. The timing of this injury is particularly cruel, as Raducanu had appeared to turn a corner after struggling for form and fitness throughout the 2025 season.

A History of Physical Setbacks

This injury is the latest and most frustrating physical problem for the 22-year-old. She was sidelined for most of the off-season by a foot injury, struggled with a virus for much of February, and was then forced off the court for two months between March and May due to post-viral illness. The grass-court season began with Raducanu searching for her first win in three years, but she played some of her best tennis to reach the final at Queen's Club.

Now, instead of focusing on improving as a player, Raducanu is once again trying to keep her body in one piece. She was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon in 2023 after having surgery on both wrists and an ankle, and she struggled with back pain in the buildup to Wimbledon 2024. The pattern of recurring injuries has raised serious questions about her long-term physical durability on the WTA Tour.

What's at Stake?

Raducanu is scheduled to face Antonia Ruzic, the Croatian ranked No 60 in the world, on No 1 Court at 1pm on Monday. A withdrawal would be a devastating blow to the home crowd and tournament organizers, who had hoped to see the 2021 US Open champion build on her Queen's Club momentum. According to BBC Sport, Raducanu's medical team is monitoring the situation closely, and a final decision is expected after her rescheduled media conference.

ADVERTISEMENT

The All England Club has declined to comment on the situation, but sources indicate that Raducanu will undergo further assessment on Sunday morning. If she withdraws, Ruzic would face a lucky loser from the qualifying draw, altering the dynamics of the women's singles bracket.

Expert Analysis

Tennis injury specialist Dr. James Walker noted that repeated foot and ankle issues in young players often stem from underlying biomechanical problems. “When a player like Raducanu has multiple lower-body injuries in a short span, it suggests a need for comprehensive rehabilitation rather than just treating symptoms,” he told Tennis.com. “The transition from hard courts to grass puts extreme stress on the lower limbs, and if the foot isn't 100%, the risk of compensatory injuries is high.”

Former British No 1 Tim Henman expressed sympathy for Raducanu but emphasized the importance of long-term health. “At 22, she has plenty of time, but she needs to get a sustained run of fitness,” Henman said in an interview with Sky Sports. “If she's not ready, she shouldn't risk it. Wimbledon will be there next year.”

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Raducanu's Wimbledon Injury

What injury is Emma Raducanu dealing with before Wimbledon?

Emma Raducanu is managing a right foot injury that she sustained during her run to the final at Queen's Club. She was seen wearing a medical boot and later had heavy tape on her right ankle and lower leg. She cut short a practice session on Saturday due to pain when pushing off her right ankle.

ADVERTISEMENT

When is Raducanu supposed to play her first match at Wimbledon?

Raducanu, seeded 30th, is scheduled to face Croatian Antonia Ruzic, ranked No 60 in the world, on No 1 Court at 1pm on Monday. Her pre-tournament media duties were rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday, indicating ongoing uncertainty about her fitness.

Has Raducanu withdrawn from Wimbledon before due to injury?

Yes, Raducanu was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon in 2023 after undergoing surgery on both wrists and an ankle. She also struggled with back pain in the buildup to Wimbledon 2024. This marks a recurring pattern of physical setbacks for the former US Open champion.

What happens if Raducanu withdraws from Wimbledon?

If Raducanu withdraws, her opponent Antonia Ruzic would face a lucky loser from the qualifying draw. The tournament would also lose a major British draw card, impacting ticket sales and broadcast interest for the early rounds.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available from Raducanu's camp and the All England Club.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Garrett Baumann

Author

Garrett Baumann

Garrett Baumann is a fearless Fashion & Sports News Editor at Grand Goldman, known for his original approach to news editorials. He delivers trusted, in‑depth coverage and analysis with decades of industry insight and expert commentary.


Get Lifetime Access to the Lastest Movies, with Exclusive Offers & Free Express Order Delivery.

Best healthy kitchen accessories on sale in the week before Black Friday 2021: air fryers, ovens, blenders, and more - Grand Goldman

Best healthy kitchen accessories on sale in the week before Black Friday 2021: air fryers, ovens, blenders, and more - Grand Goldman

This year Black Friday has come early, and we can already start finding our favorite products at the best prices. If you're starting to get ahead o...

Read
The best Cyber Monday 2021 deals on sports watches, heart rate monitors, and activity trackers - Grand Goldman

The best Cyber Monday 2021 deals on sports watches, heart rate monitors, and activity trackers - Grand Goldman

Although Black Friday is over, that doesn't mean we're out of deals. And today, we can continue celebrating and enjoying discounts thanks to Cyber ...

Read
The best Black Friday 2021 deals on sneakers and fitness clothing: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Under Armour and more - Grand Goldman

The best Black Friday 2021 deals on sneakers and fitness clothing: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Under Armour and more - Grand Goldman

Today is , a day where many products from major brands are at an incredible price, thanks to the discounts they are offering throughout the day. Ta...

Read
The best deals of the week before Black Friday 2021 on sneakers and fitness clothing: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Under Armour and more - Grand Goldman

The best deals of the week before Black Friday 2021 on sneakers and fitness clothing: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Under Armour and more - Grand Goldman

There is one week left until , a day awaited by both big brands and companies, and by consumers, who want to take advantage of the deals to buy the...

Read
Electric lunch boxes: which one is best to buy? Tips and recommendations - Grand Goldman

Electric lunch boxes: which one is best to buy? Tips and recommendations - Grand Goldman

You may have never heard that there are electric lunch boxes that can heat up your food in a matter of minutes. Not only do they exist, but they ar...

Read
In rainy season, the best cardio at home: 25 spinning bikes to get in shape - Grand Goldman

In rainy season, the best cardio at home: 25 spinning bikes to get in shape - Grand Goldman

In autumn, rain is prevalent, preventing those of us who love bicycles from going outside. But there's a very simple solution: getting your own spi...

Read
Vegetable choppers: which one is best to buy? Tips and recommendations - Grand Goldman

Vegetable choppers: which one is best to buy? Tips and recommendations - Grand Goldman

Vegetables can have a place in your diet, and they should. Besides, there are thousands of ways to incorporate them to make eating and cooking them...

Read
Black Friday 2021: Best Fitness Trackers and Sports Watches on Sale - Grand Goldman

Black Friday 2021: Best Fitness Trackers and Sports Watches on Sale - Grand Goldman

Finally, the long-awaited Black Friday has arrived, after almost two weeks of preparing with early sales. During today, we can find the best prices...

Read
Massage roller: which one is best to buy? Tips and recommendations - Grand Goldman

Massage roller: which one is best to buy? Tips and recommendations - Grand Goldman

The roller is an excellent item you can get and keep at home, as it helps relax all those parts of your body that are tense after a workout or a ha...

Read
The seven best exercises to add volume and shape to your glutes - Grand Goldman

The seven best exercises to add volume and shape to your glutes - Grand Goldman

The glutes are one of the muscle groups we tend to undervalue the most, beyond being a mere "aesthetic" muscle, which is why they are often not giv...

Read