Emma Raducanu’s injury horror story reaches a grizzly conclusion

It is the inevitable end to this phase of the Emma Raducanu story.
After several months of battling wrist injuries that were restricting her time on court and in matches, the agony finally proved to be too much for the 2021 US Open champion.
A statement on her social media accounts confirmed the 20-year-old will now take an extended break way from the game, with operations on both wrists and her ankle highlight the scale of the physical issues she has been battling in recent months.
“It is safe to say the last 10 months have been difficult as I dealt with a recurring injury on a bone of both hands,” Raducanu wrote on Instagram alongside a picture after her surgery.
“I tried my best to manage the pain and play through it for most of this year and end of last year by reducing practice load dramatically, missing weeks of training as well as cutting last season short to try heal it.
“Unfortunately it’s not enough. I’m having a minor procedure done on both hands to resolve the issues.
“I’m disappointed to share that I will be out for the next few months and while I am at it will have another minor procedure that is due on my ankle.
“It pains me that I will miss the summer events and I tried to downplay the issues so I thank all my fans who continued to support me when you did not know the facts.
“Look forward to seeing you all back out there.”
This news is a hammer blow to Raducanu’s army of British fans, as she will miss the LTA’s summer grass court events and also The Championships at Wimbledon.
In addition, she may not return to the game for several months and by the time she is back on court, she will no longer be a member of the game’s top 100 and could find herself starting her career all over again.
Is that a problem?
Of course, surgery at this stage of her career is not ideal, but it has been clear for some time that Raducanu has not been enjoying her life on or off the court.
Injuries have undoubtedly affected her ambitions, with her lack of time on the practice court impacting her hopes of success in major tournaments.
Raducanu’s US Open win in 2021 came after a lengthy run of action in the weeks before, with her match sharpness getting her through matches against more experienced opponents.
Since that famous run in New York, Raducanu has struggled to play with the freedom that was so important to her US Open win and now we wait to see if this break from the game can be the start of a new story for one of the game’s biggest names.
Women’s tennis needs new stars and Raducanu has the potential to be that marquee name who can help to drive the game for the next decade a more.
It can only be hoped this unplanned break away from the court can pave the way for a successful future for Raducanu.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu will miss Wimbledon as she goes under the knife
Latest
-
News
ITIA confirms Novak Djokovic did not refuse doping test at Davis Cup Finals
The ITIA has explained why Novak Djokovic did not break anti-doping protocol at the Davis Cup Finals.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: ‘Terrible singer’ Leylah Fernandez’s hilarious karaoke version of Journey classic
Have fun listening to Leylah Fernandez’s ‘signing’ Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’.
-
Tennis Features
The 13 WTA players whose last title was remarkably a Grand Slam: Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu and more…
There are four active players whose last title was a Grand Slam.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner underlines Darren Cahill’s key contribution to his sensational growth
Jannik Sinner praises Darren Cahill for giving him confidence.
-
Davis Cup
‘Mr Novak Djokovic must be suspended. You don’t have the right to refuse testing’
Novak Djokovic under fire for refusing to provide a sample before one of his matches.
-
Tennis News
Former partner of David Nalbandian breaks her silence in explosive stalking and sexual harassment case
Nalbandian is back in the headlines once again after it emerged he is being sued by ex-girlfriend Araceli Torrado.
-
Tennis News
‘Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer always accepted defeat better than Novak Djokovic’, claims former star
A retired ATP star has weighed in on the GOAT debate and claimed “the true champion is seen in defeat”
-
News
Why Novak Djokovic’s young protégé Miomir Kecmanovic is a player to watch in 2024
Kecmanovic may only be ranked at No 55 in the current ATP list, but Kecmanovic looks ready to take his career to the next level.
-
Tennis News
Tennis legend backs Coco Gauff to win 2024 Wimbledon in Carlos Alcaraz comparison
A tennis legend would be surprised if Coco Gauff does not win another Grand Slam title next year.
-
Tennis News
Italian tennis legends and media forced into rapid backtrack after brutal Jannik Sinner criticism
Sinner’s decision to pull out of Italy’s Davis Cup squad for the Group Stage Finals in September was widely crticised by the Italian media