British tennis player Emma Raducanu is hopeful of playing at Wimbledon later this month despite pulling out of a match on Tuesday with what she described as a “strange” injury. Raducanu was facing Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic at a WTA 250 event in Nottingham when she felt as if something had been “ripped off” on the side of her body.
But the US Open champion said she is looking for a return to the court later on the grass court swing.
“It was disappointing to leave this week with a side injury and unfortunately (I) will no longer be able to play in Birmingham,” Raducanu said in a statement released by the Lawn Tennis Association.
“I look forward to getting back on the match pitch soon to enjoy the rest of the grass-court season.”
Raducanu, 19, reached the fourth round of Wimbledon last year on her Grand Slam debut. Shewent on to win the US Open in September, but has struggled with form and fitness since her breakthrough last year and is currently without a coach. On Tuesday, Raducanu said she had “no idea” if she would be able to compete at Wimbledon, which starts on June 27.