Emma Raducanu LIVE: British No 1 forced to retire from Nottingham Open match after latest injury setback
Follow for live updates as Emma Raducanu begins her grass-court season against the world No 55 Viktorija Golubic
Follow live updates and reaction after Emma Raducanu was forced to retire due to injury in the first set of her grass-court season in Nottingham. Raducanu was down 4-3 in the first set against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic as she suffered the latest injury set-back, in what is a huge concern ahead of Wimbledon in three weeks’ time,
Raducanu has suffered with a string of injuries since beginning life on the WTA Tour and needed a medical timeout in the early stages of her clash with Golubic. She received treatment on her left side and took painkillers but continued to look in pain. The US Open champion attempted to carry on but was forced to pull out shortly afterwards.
Afterwards, Raducanu admitted she is a doubt for Wimbledon and said she will undergo a scan to determine the nature of the injury as she faces a race to be fit for the Championships in three weeks’ time.
“I think I pulled something, I am not really sure what exactly happened,” Raducanu said after the match. “I have just come off court, an absolute freak injury. I don’t know what I could have done more about it. That is it. I have no idea (about Wimbledon). It could have just seized up and gone into spasm and then it is really bad for a few days. I have no idea. I cannot diagnose myself. I will get it checked out.”
Raducanu does not get enough credit for breakthrough year, Sakkari suggests
World No 5 Maria Sakkari believes Emma Raducanu does not get enough credit as she tries to make her way on the WTA Tour.
Raducanu is doing things backwards as she triumphed at the US Open last year having never won a match at senior level on the women’s tour.
The teenager is celebrating 12 months on the WTA circuit this week when she returns to the Nottingham Open – the scene of her debut in June 2021.
And it has been tough going for the teenager, who has had a mixed time playing against seasoned pros and still adjusting to the physical demands of life on the road.
Sakkari, who was beaten by Raducanu in the quarter-finals of the US Open, says the British number one is going to need time.
Emma Raducanu does not get enough credit for breakthrough year, Maria Sakkari insists
Raducanu is doing things backwards as she triumphed at the US Open last year having never won a match at senior level on the women’s tour
Is the Nottingham Open on TV? Time, channel and how to watch
When is the Nottingham Open?
The main draw got underway on Monday 6 June and the action will take place through to the finals on Sunday 12 June.
How can I watch it?
The action will be available to watch across the BBC, with streams available on the BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Raducanu reflects on ‘surreal’ year as she returns to Nottingham Open
“It is where it started over for me and I am proud of what I have achieved over the last 12 months.
“It signifies the start of a journey for me. It wasn’t the most positive week results wise but I learned a lot and it definitely set me in good stead for the rest of the season. I felt I built on that every single week.
“I came back to Nottingham a week after for another tournament and that’s when I was told I had received my Wimbledon wild card.
“I was really pleased about that so it really does bring back some great memories.”
Emma Raducanu reflects on ‘surreal’ year as she returns to Nottingham Open
Raducanu made her debut WTA Tour appearance this time last year
Raducanu reflects on ‘surreal’ year as she returns to Nottingham Open
Emma Raducanu admits things have been a bit “surreal” over the last 12 months as she returns to the scene where it all began in Nottingham this week.
The teenager, fresh from completing her A Levels, made her debut WTA Tour appearance this time last year and no one could have predicted what was to happen in the following months.
After introducing herself to the nation with a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, she became a global star when she made history by winning the US Open in September.
When she lost that first-round match to Harriet Dart last June only people involved in British tennis knew of her, but now she returns to the midlands city to compete in the Rothesay Open a household name.
Asked if she could have imagined what was in store for her, she replied: “Definitely not, it was my first WTA Tour tournament so to come back 12 months later full circle knowing what happened is pretty surreal.”
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Nottingham Open as Emma Raducanu returns to the British grass for the first time since her US Open triumph in her opening match against Viktorija Golubic. The 19-year-old has come full circle as she returns to the scene of her WTA Tour debut 12 months ago, which came just weeks after finishing her A-Levels.
Raducanu’s subsequent breakthrough at Wimbledon was followed by her remarkable victory in New York, and ahead of her homecoming at the All England Club later this month the British No 1 will look to get up to speed on the grass at the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
“It is where it started over for me and I am proud of what I have achieved over the last 12 months,” Raducanu has said. “It signifies the start of a journey for me. It wasn’t the most positive week results wise but I learned a lot and it definitely set me in good stead for the rest of the season. I felt I built on that every single week.”
Raducanu, who is the No 2 seed at the tournament, behind the world No 5 Maria Sakkari, and faces a first career meeting with the 29-year-old Golubic. The Swiss player is ranked world No 55 but reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year.
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