Exclusive: Rumours over Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon withdrawal as John Lloyd gives his verdict

Rumours are swirling over Emma Raducanu’s hopes of playing at Wimbledon, amid suggestions that her side strain may force her to withdraw from her home Grand Slam.
US Open champion Raducanu has not played since withdrawing from the Rothesay Open Nottingham with the injury that continues to trouble her ahead of the start of Wimbledon on Monday.
Raducanu withdrew from her planned practice session at Wimbledon on Friday, sparking a frenzy of rumours that the teenager may be forced to pull out of the tournament.
That decision is likely to come on Saturday, with Raducanu set to face the media for her pre-tournament press conference at 4.30pm UK time.
Expectations are inevitably inflated around Raducanu on home soil, but former British No.1 John Lloyd has told Tennis365 that the home hope is unlikely to shine at the All England Club this year.
Speaking at an event to promote his new book Dear John, Lloyd told us that Raducanu may not be ready physically to shine on the biggest stage once again this summer.
“Let’s presume she is going to play and if she does what she does last year and gets to the last-16, that would be a big bonus,” Lloyd told us.
“Anything after that would be a magnificent feat and I personally don’t think it’s going to happen. If it does, that would be great, but I don’t think she is in a position right now to have a big run at Wimbledon.
“She had a Rocky-style entrance to the tennis world and all of a sudden she is a mega star. It’s a big jump for her.
“I think she has reacted pretty well overall. People thought she could keep winning, but that wasn’t realistic. Her body is not accustomed to the brutality of the tour and she is playing catch-up.
“I’m not a big fan of the roundabout of coaching she has gone through, but I don’t think she is a one-Slam wonder. I think she will win more, but it will take her time to sort it out and learn the ropes a little bit more.”
Lloyd went on to suggest the Raducanu story is a fantasy that is hard to believe, as he admitted he was forced to eat his own words when the Brit won the US Open.
“There have been a couple of tennis films down the years with Wimbledon and in my day they did one called Players, that I was in briefly,” he added.
“Both films were Rocky style stories where one got to the Wimbledon final and the other one won the finals at Wimbledon.
“I saw the script for Wimbledon, I said it was unrealistic nonsense. Let’s build a tennis movie around character rather than this fantasy.
“Then she goes and wins the US Open. It’s staggering what she achieved.”

Latest
-
WTA Tour
Why Elena Rybakina’s Indian Wells win could be a breakthrough moment
Elena Rybakina is emerging as the biggest threat to Iga Swiatek at the top of the women’s game after Indian Wells win.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz banishes Novak Djokovic ‘asterisk’ snipe as he reclaims No 1 ranking
Carlos Alcaraz confirmed he was a worthy world No 1 after his stunning win against Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells.
-
WTA Tour
Miami Open draw: Emma Raducanu handed nightmare opener
British No 1 Emma Raducanu is set for a tough start to her Miami Open campaign after she was drawn against Bianca Andreescu.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas impressed and inspired by Jim Courier
Stefanos Tsitsipas fanboys over Jim Courier’s commentary.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals what it means to be ‘In Flow’
Stefanos Tsitsipas said: ‘It felt like I was in a cage and someone decided to unlock the cage and I suddenly felt free.’
-
News
John McEnroe talks trash ahead of pickleball clash with Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick
John McEnroe is ready to take on Andre Agassi one more time.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Carlos Alcaraz chasing No 1, Daniil Medvedev back in top five
Carlos Alcaraz has a window to regain the top rankings spot.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz sets Indian Wells showdown with Daniil Medvedev
Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from becoming World No 1 again.
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina set to secure a new career-high WTA ranking
Elena Rybakina will reach a new career-high but victory at Indian Wells will see her supplant Maria Sakkari as world No 7.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka says she has been subjected to abuse over nationality
Aryna Sabalenka said it was wrong to blame tennis players for the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.