Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from her scheduled practice session at Wimbledon as she manages a physical issue following her recent run at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham. The 2021 US Open champion, currently ranked outside the top 100, is monitoring her fitness ahead of the grass-court Grand Slam, which begins at the All England Club on July 1, 2024, according to reports from BBC Sport.
The decision to skip Thursday’s training session follows a demanding week in Nottingham, where Raducanu reached the semi-finals before falling to Katie Boulter. The 21-year-old tennis star, who received a wildcard entry into the Wimbledon main draw, has faced a series of injury setbacks over the last two seasons, including surgeries on both wrists and her ankle in 2023. Her current status remains a point of focus for supporters and analysts tracking her return to competitive form on the WTA Tour.
Status of Raducanu’s Wimbledon Preparation
Raducanu’s absence from the practice courts at SW19 is a precautionary measure, as confirmed by her camp. After her exit from the Nottingham tournament, the British player cited the need for recovery following an intense schedule. According to the official Wimbledon tournament schedule, the first round of the championships is set to commence on Monday, leaving a narrow window for players to acclimate to the surface and address minor physical strains.
The physical demands of grass-court tennis are well-documented, particularly for players returning from long-term layoffs. Raducanu, who has been working to regain her ranking points, has been selective with her tournament entries to ensure she remains available for major events. Her participation in the Nottingham event marked a return to the grass, but the back-to-back nature of professional matches often exacerbates lingering fatigue or stiffness in joints that have undergone previous clinical procedures.
Context of Recent Injury Struggles
The current concern follows a period of rigorous rehabilitation for the former British No. 1. In May 2023, Raducanu announced that she would be sidelined for several months to undergo minor procedures on both wrists and a separate surgery on her left ankle, as reported by The Guardian. These operations forced her to miss the remainder of the 2023 season, including her home Grand Slam.
Since her return to the tour in early 2024, Raducanu has focused on building match fitness. Her performance in Nottingham demonstrated a clear improvement in her baseline game, yet the intensity of playing multiple matches in a short timeframe is a known challenge for her recovery program. Sports medicine experts often emphasize that for athletes returning from multiple surgeries, the transition to grass—a surface that requires rapid changes in direction and low-center-of-gravity movement—demands careful management of training loads.
What Happens Next for the Wimbledon Field
With the Wimbledon draw ceremony approaching, the focus shifts to how the tournament officials and players manage the lead-up to the opening day. Raducanu is one of several high-profile players who have navigated fitness concerns leading into the London event. The All England Club, governed by the All England Lawn Tennis Club, maintains strict protocols for player health and safety during the two-week tournament period.
For Raducanu, the next few days will likely involve light movement, physiotherapy, and assessment by her medical team to determine her readiness for the first-round matches. Fans and media members are awaiting updates, which are typically provided through official tournament press conferences or statements released by the player’s representatives. The tournament is scheduled to run from July 1 through July 14, 2024, with the women’s singles final taking place on the second Saturday of the competition.
Updates regarding the official draw and any further medical bulletins will be available through the official Wimbledon news portal. As the tournament nears, spectators are encouraged to follow official channels for the most accurate information regarding player schedules and match times.