Emma Raducanu LIVE: British No 1 forced to retire from Nottingham Open match after latest injury setback
Follow for live updates as Emma Raducanu begins her grass-court season against the world No 55 Viktorija Golubic
Follow live updates and reaction after Emma Raducanu was forced to retire due to injury in the first set of her grass-court season in Nottingham. Raducanu was down 4-3 in the first set against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic as she suffered the latest injury set-back, in what is a huge concern ahead of Wimbledon in three weeks’ time,
Raducanu has suffered with a string of injuries since beginning life on the WTA Tour and needed a medical timeout in the early stages of her clash with Golubic. She received treatment on her left side and took painkillers but continued to look in pain. The US Open champion attempted to carry on but was forced to pull out shortly afterwards.
Afterwards, Raducanu admitted she is a doubt for Wimbledon and said she will undergo a scan to determine the nature of the injury as she faces a race to be fit for the Championships in three weeks’ time.
“I think I pulled something, I am not really sure what exactly happened,” Raducanu said after the match. “I have just come off court, an absolute freak injury. I don’t know what I could have done more about it. That is it. I have no idea (about Wimbledon). It could have just seized up and gone into spasm and then it is really bad for a few days. I have no idea. I cannot diagnose myself. I will get it checked out.”
Raducanu a doubt for Wimbledon after suffering ‘freak injury’
Emma Raducanu has admitted she is a doubt for Wimbledon after the US Open champion suffered a “freak injury” in her opening match of the grass-court season on Tuesday.
Raducanu was forced to retire from her second-round match at the Nottingham Open just seven games into her first competitive appearance back on British soil following her remarkable triumph in New York last September.
Raducanu received treatment on her left side, with a trainer attending to her rib and upper arm, and the British No 1 said she will undergo a scan to determine the nature of the injury as she faces a race to be fit for Wimbledon in three weeks’ time.
Emma Raducanu a doubt for Wimbledon after suffering ‘freak injury’
The US Open champion retired from her opening match of the grass-court season after just seven games in Nottingham
Emma Raducanu forced to retire from Nottingham Open with injury
Emma Raducanu forced to retire from Nottingham Open with injury
Raducanu was forced to pull out in the first set of her first-round match against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic with what appeared to be an injury to her side
Raducanu forced to retire due to injury
Raducanu had played down injury concerns ahead of the French Open last month, after suffering hand blisters, foot blisters as well as a lingering back injury so far this season.
“I’m learning about my body, for sure, but I’m very happy to be continuing my preparations for the French Open and to be able to play this tournament and fortunately I didn’t have to miss this Grand Slam,” Raducanu said.
This will now be a major concern ahead of Wimbledon.
Raducanu forced to retire due to injury
This is the third time this season Raducanu has been forced to retire from a match due to injury. There was the defeat to Daria Saville in Guadalajara, which came in the third set, as well as her opening match of the Italian Open against Bianca Andreescu. On top of that, Raducanu was also hampered by blisters in her Australian Open defeat to Danka Kovinic.
Raducanu forced to retire due to injury
Golubic is asked to do the on-court interview, and seems a little uncomfortable doing so after a win like that. “I’m shocked a little bit. I didn’t expect this to happen and I feel sorry for Emma. I was looking forward to the challenge of this match and it’s not the way I wanted it to end. Hopefully she recovers.”
Raducanu forced to retire due to injury
This was not how Raducanu would have wanted her UK homecoming to end. A latest injury setback forces the 19-year-old to retire after just seven games and comes just three weeks before Wimbledon.
Breaking: Raducanu forced to retire due to injury
That’s it. Raducanu approaches the umpire and is forced to retire from the match.
Raducanu 3-4 Golubic* - Golubic breaks
Golubic senses an opportunity after Raducanu fires wide on the forehand, and a forehand winner down the line from the Swiss sets up two more break points.
Raducanu nets as Golubic edges ahead once more, as Raducanu goes back to the trainer.
*Raducanu 3-3 Golubic
There is quite a subdued atmosphere now at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, as Raducanu holds the left side of her stomach in between points.
Golubic hits a lovely backhand into the corner to move 30-15 up and after Raducanu goes long Golubic plays the drop shot from the baseline that her opponent cannot reach.
Raducanu 3-2 Golubic* - Golubic breaks
But then... as Golubic takes the opening three points on the Raducanu serve the 19-year-old suddenly appears uncomfortable. A forehand winner crosscourt saves the first of three break points but Raducanu then nets, and goes back to receiving treatement from the trainer.
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