Emma Raducanu withdraws from Wimbledon hours before debut after stress fracture diagnosis
WTASunday, 28 June 2026 at 23:26
Emma Raducanu confirmed that she has withdrawn from Wimbledon just hours before her scheduled debut. The British player was expected to open play on Centre Court against Antonia Ruzic, but a stress fracture in her foot has ruled her out of the third Grand Slam of the year.
It is a major setback for Raducanu, who had shown encouraging form on grass earlier in the season. She reached her first WTA 500 final at the Queen’s Club Championships, defeating high-level opponents including Sorana Cirstea and Iva Jovic along the way. Although she fell in straight sets to Donna Vekić in the final, her performances generated optimism ahead of Wimbledon.
In the week following Queen’s, Raducanu was also expected to compete at the Nottingham Open, but withdrew shortly before her first-round match due to physical issues. What initially appeared to be precautionary management ahead of Wimbledon has now proven to be more serious than anticipated.
Two days before the withdrawal announcement, Raducanu had cut a practice session short at Wimbledon due to discomfort, raising concerns about her condition ahead of SW19. The situation escalated later on Sunday, when it was confirmed she would not take part in the tournament, allowing a lucky loser to enter the draw.
Raducanu withdraws from Wimbledon hours before debut
The withdrawal leaves British tennis without its leading home hope in the women’s draw. Raducanu had previously reached the fourth round at Wimbledon twice and was defending third-round points this year. However, she confirmed that her recovery is not at a stage where she can compete.
"I can’t believe I’m saying this, but sadly I’ve had to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon," she wrote in a statement. " 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," the former US Open champion added. "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."
Great Britain's Emma Raducanu with the runners up trophy following her loss to Croatia's Donna Vekic after the Women's singles final match on day seven of the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club
A day earlier, during her press conference, Raducanu had explained the issue in more detail: “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.”
“I've been managing it, and I'd say recently, after Queen's, that week was probably a lot of load for me. Playing five matches after having not competed for a while was a lot. I'm just managing it with my team as best as I possibly can, exhausting all options and doing what we can.”
Raducanu is expected to drop several places in the rankings and finished early the grass-swing. British hopes in the women’s draw are now reduced, with only one top-100 player in the main draw: world No. 60 Katie Boulter.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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