Emma Raducanu cops backlash over photo post after latest withdrawal

British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has come under fire from fans over the timing of a social media post in the wake of her latest withdrawal. The 20-year-old has had rotten luck with injuries since making history by winning the 2021 US Open title as a qualifier.

Raducanu rolled her ankle in Auckland in January ahead of the Australian Open, before suffering a second-round loss to Coco Gauff at the Melbourne Park grand slam. She hasn't played since. This week, the 20-year-old announced she was withdrawing from the WTA tournament in Austin, Texas, after revealing she was struck down with tonsillitis.

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"I'm sorry to have to withdraw from the ATX Open," she said. "I am currently suffering from tonsillitis and am unable to compete this week. Thank you to the tournament and the great hospitality here in Austin."

Fans were understandably gutted after hearing news about the latest setback for Raducanu, whose ranking has blown out to World No.80, having reached a career high of 10 last year. However, it was a follow-up post from Raducanu that left other fans questioning the professionalism of the British star.

Raducanu posted a photo of her enjoying a night out with hairstylist Patrick Wilson and makeup artist Naoko Sofia Patrizia Scintu. Even though the photos turned out to be behind-the-scenes shots from her December 2022 shoot for Grazia magazine, fans insisted it was not a good look for the 20-year-old to post images of her enjoying a night out, so soon after her withdrawal from a tournament due to illness.

"She’s so unserious for posting this after withdrawing.... like girl keep a low profile," one fan commented. Another added: "God, first of stories about how she's sad about withdrawing from Austin and then this. I know she had to post this but it might be more soft."

Emma Raducanu aiming to be right for Indian Wells

Raducanu spent several days practising in Texas, but was forced to withdraw on the eve of the event. It appears as though she will be right to return at Indian Wells after writing on Instagram: “Sad to be missing Austin but on the mend.”

The British No.1 will head to Indian Wells to prepare for the WTA 1000 event, while also targeting an appearance at the Miami Open. Following the historic US Open title triumph that launched her to superstardom, Raducanu has been plagued by various injuries that have seen her world ranking plummet.

The Brit ended her 2022 season early after sustaining a wrist injury in October, before she was forced to withdraw in Auckland in January after her ankle sprain.

Raducanu was also forced to retire hurt during the semi-finals of the Korea Open in September with a glute problem. That followed a first-round retirement at the Nottingham Open in the lead-up to Wimbledon, though Raducanu ultimately recovered to reach the second round of the grass-court major.

She made the first of four mid-match retirements last year while playing Daria Gavrilova in Mexico in February due to a hip issue. She retired again at the Rome Masters in May, this time with a back problem.

The 20-year-old has also gone through a number of coaching changes in the last 12 months and is now onto her fifth different mentor. Raducanu's current coach is Sebastien Sachs, who guided Belinda Bencic to an Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020 and has previously worked with former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka.

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