Emma Raducanu issues concerning statement amid fears of Wimbledon withdrawal

Emma Raducanu has provided a worrying update addressing fears she could withdraw from Wimbledon due to injury.

In less than 24 hours, the most exciting tennis major of the year will officially kick off in southwest London as the biggest players in the world arrive in Wimbledon.

With Carlos Alcaraz out due to a serious injury to his right wrist, world no.1 Jannik Sinner is the favourite in the men's draw while Aryna Sabalenka leads the odds in the women's draw.

Britain's best hope is widely regarded to be Cameron Norrie, who faces Michael Zheng in his opening match, while in the women's draw Raducanu is the best chance.

However, ahead of Raducanu's opening match against Croatia's Antonia Ružić, fears have arisen that the British no.1 could be forced to withdraw due to an ongoing injury issue.

Concerns regarding the 23-year-old's fitness first emerged after she was forced to stop a training session early on Saturday following reports that she had been wearing a protective boot earlier in the week.

During the session and training on Sunday, Raducanu's right ankle was strapped up further suggesting issues that could prevent her from making it to the court.

Ahead of her opening match, Raducanu spoke with the media and confirmed that she was suffering from an ongoing leg injury but, despite medical advice, planned to play through the pain in her first-round match at Wimbledon.

“There are certain tournaments you’re willing to do more for, put yourself on the line more for, risk more for,” Raducanu explained.

“For me, of course, Wimbledon is that.

“I don’t think any doctor can tell me I’m not going to make it worse. I just have to be aware of the risks I’m taking stepping out onto the court, weighing up if I’m willing to do that.”

Raducanu's opening match against Ružić, who is ranked 61st in the world, is set to begin at 13:00 BST on Wimbledon's Court One.

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Of course, fans will be concerned that deciding to play the match despite the clear injury issues could do her body further harm and lead to a longer spell away from tennis.

The exact details of the injury are not known, but the Brit did provide some details ahead of the match.

She said: “I have a lower-leg niggle that I’ve been dealing with since before Queen’s, actually from the back end of the clay-court season,”

“Yesterday I played for an hour before playing with Anna [Kalinskaya, the world No 24]. I think everyone knows I took a few days off, I didn’t practise. [On Saturday] I was just a little bit tentative, I’d say, hesitant. Today I did feel better on the court, so that’s a positive sign.”

Raducanu makes heartbreaking admission after latest injury setback

Throughout Raducanu's career injuries have played a major role in holding her back since her historic win in the final of the 2021 US Open.

If she is to miss out on all or part of Wimbledon this year due to the latest injury, it would no doubt be one of the biggest blows she has suffered in recent years, a fact that she clearly isn't taking lightly.

“It’s difficult waking up each day, not knowing how it’s going to be,” Raducanu said, when asked about the fresh setback.

“Not knowing whether you’re in or out causes a lot of uncertainty.

“All I can do is my best every day. That’s what I’m doing, whether that’s the treatments, whether that’s the practice. With the people around me, they’re pushing me in the right way.

"Keeping morale and spirits high is important as well. Even if you’re going through a difficult time, I think allowing yourself to have moments of joy is important.”