Emma Raducanu withdraws from Wimbledon on eve of Grand Slam owing to stress fracture - 'Really difficult to process'
Updated 29/06/2026 at 00:32 GMT+1
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Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Wimbledon because of a lower leg stress fracture. The British No. 1 and former US Open champion was set to play Antonia Ruzic in the first round of the Grand Slam on Monday afternoon.
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Raducanu had raised injury concerns during the week as she was seen wearing a protective boot and cancelled several practice sessions.
But she practised on Sunday morning and later said in her press conference that she planned to compete after she had "pushed beyond anything" that she would for "any other tournament."
However, on the eve of the tournament she posted on Instagram to say she had made the "really difficult" decision to withdraw.
”I can’t believe I’m saying this, but sadly I’ve had to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon.
”I’ve done everything possible to try to get to the start line tomorrow but after a final scan tonight, the niggle I’ve been managing has developed into a stress fracture and I’ve been medically advised to stop pushing through.
”Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process.
”I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement. Especially at a time like this, it is invaluable. I look forward to seeing you when I’m back.”
Raducanu had practised over the weekend with support on her lower-right shin.
Discussing the injury in her press conference, she described it as a ”lower-leg niggle” that she had been dealing with since the end of the clay season.
Raducanu didn’t appear to show signs of injury as she started her grass swing in encouraging fashion by reaching the final at Queen’s.
But the 23-year-old has struggled to stay consistently healthy since her shock US Open win in 2021.
This season she missed two months from March to May owing to a post-viral illness and played just two clay matches.
She had been hoping to build on her impressive Queen's run with a strong showing at Wimbledon, but will now not have a chance to play at her home Grand Slam.
”It's been tricky," she said in her press conference about her latest injury setback.
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"I had a great week at Queen's. All I want to do is to keep building on that momentum.
”I've had a tough start to the season, a lot of time out. I think hearing and feeling this is difficult. I have great people around me. I think that's one thing that's really been helping in this latest setback. I think having their support, they're really in it with me. It means a lot to have that.”
Raducanu will be replaced in the women's singles draw by a lucky loser.
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