Emma Raducanu fails to ask for Eastbourne wildcard amid injury concern

Wimbledon
Many believe it’s still only a matter of time before Emma Raducanu wins another Grand Slam. However

Emma Raducanu was not among the British wild cards announced on Friday for next week’s Rothesay International Eastbourne as she continues to recover from a side injury.

The US Open champion is in a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon after picking up another physical issue early in her first-round match in Nottingham last week.

Raducanu completed only seven games before withdrawing and, having indicated she may be fit to play in Eastbourne, the 19-year-old decided against seeking a wild card.

She may instead opt to play a match at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic exhibition at the Hurlingham Club next week but, assuming she is fit, will go into her home grand slam with very limited grass-court preparation.

Raducanu’s camp are understandably cautious about pressing her into action too soon after a start to the 2022 season that has been plagued with niggles.

When she has been fit Raducanu has threatened to break out her best tennis and challenge the WTA Tour’s elite.

Virginia Wade was the last British woman to win the Wimbledon singles title way back in 1977 with many in the UK holding out hope that Raducanu would be the one to end a wait that is approaching the 50-year mark.

That may yet prove true but it appears unlikely that the 19-year-old will mount a significant challenge at the All England club this time around.

Ryan Peniston and Katie Boulter have been rewarded for their strong performances this week at Queen’s and Birmingham, respectively, with wild cards alongside Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage, Jack Draper and Jay Clarke.

Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans were the automatic British entries, while the headline act of the week will be the returning Serena Williams, who is playing doubles with Ons Jabeur.

Emma Raducanu

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