Emma Raducanu has confirmed she is dealing with another injury concern but still plans to play on the opening day of Wimbledon.
The British No 1 is scheduled to play the first match on No 1 Court on Monday when she faces Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic.
But injury fears have clouded the final days ahead of her appearance at the All England Club.
The former US Open champion’s preparations for her home Grand Slam have been hit by a right lower leg problem that was exacerbated by her run to the final at Queen’s Club two weeks ago.
“I’m going to do everything with my team in terms of treatment,” said Raducanu, who is due on court at 1pm to take on Ruzic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Tim Henman and Laura Robson believe Raducanu reuniting with her former coach that helped her clinch the US Open, Andrew Richardson, is a good move
“That’s the plan right now, to play. 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.
“Queen’s, during that week, was a lot of load for me. Five matches after having not competed for a while. But I’m just managing it with my team as best as I possibly can, exhausting all options and doing what we can.”
The alarm was raised when Raducanu was reportedly spotted wearing a protective boot on Wednesday.
She did not take to the practice courts until Saturday, when she cut short a session against Anna Kalinskaya after moving gingerly and losing four games in a row.
All eyes were on Raducanu during her session with hitting partner Alexis Canter on Sunday morning, and she came through that well enough to give her hope of taking part in the tournament.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Henman felt Raducanu should remain positive despite losing the Queen’s final to Donna Vekic
“Today I did feel better on the court, so that’s a positive sign,” she said. “I had a great week at Queen’s. All I want to do is to keep building on that momentum. I’ve had a tough start to the season, a lot of time out.
“I have great people around me. I think that’s one thing that’s really been helping in this latest setback. I think having their support, they’re really in it with me. It means a lot to have that.”
She added: “I think there are certain tournaments you’re willing to do more for, put yourself on the line more for, risk more for. For me, of course, Wimbledon is that.
“I think I probably pushed beyond anything that I would for any other tournament. That’s for a fact.”
Leave a Reply