Emma Raducanu earns huge payday despite confirming Wimbledon withdrawal

Emma Raducanu has officially pulled out of Wimbledon despite announcing that she would be playing hours earlier.

Wimbledon 2026 is just hours away as the biggest tennis players in the world arrive in London ahead of the opening matches on Monday.

Several British players will be in action during the major competition, with Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper and Katie Boulter all set to feature.

Ahead of her opening match against Croatia's Antonia Ružić, British no.1 Raducanu faced a fresh injury as she was seen training with strapping on her lower leg.

However, following further training on Sunday, the the 23-year-old confirmed that she planned to put herself 'on the line' to play at Wimbledon, despite medical advice.

“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."

But, just hours later Raducanu has now confirmed that she has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after suffered a stress fracture.

In a statement shared on social media, she wrote: “Hi everyone, 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.”

The injury setback is just the latest in what has been a difficult year for Raducanu so far.

READ MORE: Wimbledon star brokedown in tears after realising she only had £19 left

A foot injury impacted her preseason while she had to deal with an illness during her run to the Transylvania Open final in February and subsequent tournaments in the Middle East and at Indian Wells.

Emma Raducanu takes home huge payday despite Wimbledon withdrawal

Although the injury is devastating news for Raducanu, her withdrawal does not mean that she will go home empty-handed.

That's because Wimbledon's official rules mean that she will still earn 50% of the prize money she would have received for playing despite the fact she will not be competing in a single match.

Players competing in the first round at Wimbledon are awarded £80,000 even if they lose the match, meaning Raducanu will earn £40,000 despite her withdrawal from the competition.