Raducanu races to be fit for Wimbledon after foot scare

Emma Raducanu faces an anxious final stretch before Wimbledon after a physical problem disrupted her grass-court preparations at the All England Club. The British No. 1 practised on Monday but skipped a scheduled session on Thursday, and was reportedly seen leaving the site the previous evening wearing a protective boot on her right foot.

Her team has indicated she has been managing a niggle since her run to the final at Queen's Club, a result that had looked like one of the clearest signs yet that her grass-court game was settling back into rhythm.

Why the timing matters

Wimbledon begins next week and the draw is imminent. Raducanu is expected to be seeded if she is fit enough to compete. Her Queen's run, which included wins over two top-20 opponents, had given British tennis a lift, but it came with a crowded schedule after rain bunched matches together, and she has not played competitively since.

Grass rewards confidence in movement as much as clean striking. A player needs to trust the lower body to push off, recover and adjust to low bounces. Even a minor foot or leg concern can affect serve rhythm, return positioning and the willingness to chase short balls, which is why a missed session so close to the tournament becomes a story in itself.

A career of interruptions

Since her 2021 US Open title, Raducanu has repeatedly dealt with injuries, surgery and illness that have made continuity difficult. This season also began in fits and starts before the Queen's run reset the mood around her campaign.

What happens next

There is no confirmation of a withdrawal, and her camp has not framed this as a long-term issue. The immediate question is how much preparation she can safely complete before the first round, balancing recovery and caution against the need for match sharpness at her biggest home opportunity in years.