Emma Raducanu sparks concerns after tough news ahead of Indian Wells
The 20-year-old British favourite has sparked concern ahead of her big return.
Emma Raducanu has sparked concern ahead of her round 1 Indian Wells match after cancelling an exhibition event and a practice session. Raducanu hasn't played since her second round exit at the Australian Open in January.
The British sensation has endured a tough start to the season having recently withdrawn from the inaugural ATX Open in Austin revealing that she suffered rom tonsillitis and was unable to compete. Raducanu spent several days practising in Texas, but was forced to withdraw on the eve of the event.
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Raducanu then travelled to California for Indian Wells and was expected to take part in a charity mixed-doubles event before the tournament. However, Raducanu withdrew only hours before the match Eisenhower Cup to 'monitor the body' for the WTA 1000 event.
She is due to play Danka Kovinic in round 1. However, Raducanu also reportedly cancelled one of her practice sessions.
While she did take to the court for a hit later, she appeared with her wrists strapped. She also took to the court away from the fanfare. While the grand slam winner is expected to play in her opening match, fans were quick to question her condition after a tough run leading into the popular WTA 1000 event.
Emma Raducanu practising on a court on the very outer edge of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden - and hoping she’s going to be ready for Danka Kovinic in the first round tomorrow pic.twitter.com/mW1QwrXx52
— Russell Fuller (@russellcfuller) March 8, 2023
Yay!! Glad to see her practicing, I was worried yesterday afrer she dropped out of the charity match. 😊🇬🇧
— Siobhan 🇬🇬 (@slinehan1) March 8, 2023
Seriously?!! What is going on with Emma!!!!!??
— Danny (@HighburyHeart) March 7, 2023
Emma Raducanu isn't returning to the court tonight in mixed doubles with Cam Norrie. A spokesman said that her withdrawal is a "case of monitoring the body very carefully" ahead of her first-round match in Indian Wells on Thursday.
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) March 7, 2023
She didn’t show up to her practice court this afternoon. Was looking forward to seeing her
— Kristin Van Weele (@kvanweele) March 8, 2023
Emma Raducanu's tough 2023 season
The British No.1 is expected to follow up her Indian Wells appearance at the Miami Open. The 20-year-old shot to stardom at the US Open in 2021 when she became the first qualifier in tennis history to win a grand slam.
However she has struggled for consistency since, while also suffering a number of injuries that have hampered her progress. She ended her 2022 season early after sustaining a wrist injury in October, before she was forced to withdraw in Auckland early in January after hurting her ankle.
She lost to another young talent Coco Gauff at the Australian Open earlier this year. Raducanu will have points to defend at Indian Wells having reached the round of 32 last year.
Having reached a career-high ranking of World No.10 in July last year, the British player has dropped to World No.77 as she struggles with form. The 20-year-old admitted in January that she had worked hard in pre-season, but was disappointed with her latest setbacks.
"It's difficult to take. I've put a lot of physical work in the last few months and I've been feeling good and optimistic," she said in Auckland. "So to be stopped by a freak injury, rolling an ankle is pretty disappointing, in the first week as well. I thought I was playing some pretty decent tennis.
"The courts are incredibly slick, like very slippery, so to be honest it's not a surprise that this happened to someone. It's out of my control and after a very long day of waiting around. But we'll assess over the next few days and see what the next steps are."
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