Raducanu in fitness race ahead of Wimbledon after missing practice

Emma Raducanu is facing an anxious few days as she battles to be fit for Wimbledon, with Sky Sports News understanding that the British No. 1 missed a scheduled practice session on Thursday. The 21-year-old, who shot to fame by winning the US Open as a qualifier in 2021, has had a stop-start career since then due to a series of injury setbacks, including wrist and ankle problems. Her absence from the practice court will naturally raise concerns about her readiness for the grass-court Grand Slam, which begins on July 1 at the All England Club.

Wimbledon is the tournament where Raducanu announced herself on the global stage in 2021, reaching the fourth round as a wildcard before retiring with breathing difficulties. That run captivated the nation and set the stage for her stunning triumph in New York just weeks later. Since then, however, the rollercoaster has been more about recovery than results. She has undergone three surgeries in the past year — including on both wrists and an ankle — and has played only a handful of matches in 2024, most recently at the French Open where she lost in the first round.

The timing of this latest fitness scare is particularly cruel. Raducanu had been building up her workload on grass, playing exhibitions and practicing at the All England Club. Missing a practice session at this stage — just days before the draw is made — suggests something may have flared up. Whether it's a precautionary measure or a more serious issue remains unclear, but it will undoubtedly dominate headlines as the tournament approaches.

For British tennis fans, the hope is that this is just a minor glitch. Raducanu has shown in flashes this year that her talent is still there, including a run to the semifinals in Stuttgart and a second-round appearance in Madrid. But consistency has eluded her, and the physical demands of a two-week Grand Slam are the ultimate test. If she is not fully fit, even the most generous draw would be a monumental challenge.

Should Raducanu withdraw, it would be another blow to a British contingent that already relies heavily on her star power. The women's singles lineup at Wimbledon is already without defending champion Markéta Vondroušová due to injury, and Raducanu's absence would leave a significant gap in the home hopes. For now, all eyes are on the next few days to see if she can shake off the doubt and step onto Centre Court when her name is called.