Why Emma Raducanu pulled out of Wimbledon with full statement | Tennis | Sport

The Sudden Decision: Emma Raducanu pulled out of Wimbledon 2026 late on Sunday night, just hours after confidently telling a press conference that she planned to compete. She was scheduled to play Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on Court One the following day.

The Diagnosis: A late diagnostic scan revealed that a persistent “niggle” she had been managing had worsened. The scan confirmed she had developed a stress fracture in her lower right leg, specifically around her shin.

Medical Intervention: Following the scan results, Raducanu’s medical team intervened. She was explicitly advised by doctors to stop pushing through the pain, forcing her to make the difficult decision to withdraw to prevent long-term career damage.

Worsening Symptoms: Concerns over her physical fitness had been mounting all week. She was reportedly spotted wearing a protective medical boot, missed multiple crucial training sessions, and had to abruptly cut a practice set short against Anna Kalinskaya.

The Queen’s Club Toll: The injury followed a heavily intensive grass-court workload. Raducanu had just completed a gruelling physical run at the Queen’s Club tournament earlier in the month, where she reached the final after playing five demanding matches, including two in one day.

Emotional Impact: The 23-year-old former US Open champion expressed immense heartbreak over the decision. In her statement, she emphasised that playing in front of her home crowd at Wimbledon meant everything to her, making the news incredibly difficult to process.

The Full Statement: “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.”