Emma Raducanu withdraws from Wimbledon with stress fracture

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament with a stress fracture.

The Briton, currently the world number 33, posted on Instagram on Saturday evening, saying: "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."

It comes after the British number one spoke to the media at the All England Club on Sunday, after days of speculation regarding her fitness, and said she was planning to take on Antonia Ruzic on Court One, on Monday lunchtime.

The 23-year-old has been managing a right lower leg injury since her run to the Queen's final earlier in June.

Fears of her participation in Wimbledon were first raised on Wednesday when she was reportedly spotted wearing a protective boot.

Then she did not take to the practice courts until Saturday, and when she did, she wore strapping on her lower right leg and cut short a session against Anna Kalinskaya after moving gingerly and losing four games straight.

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Her hitting session on Sunday appeared more positive, before the news that she was pulling out.

Raducanu previously pulled out of Wimbledon in 2023 after surgery on both wrists and one ankle.

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