Fresh concerns for Emma Raducanu after massive new blow

Emma Raducanu will reportedly miss another major grass court lead-up event to Wimbledon, in the latest injury blow for the British teen sensation.

Britain's PA news agency understands that Raducanu will skip the Eastbourne tournament that begins this weekend, due to the side strain that saw her withdraw from Nottingham earlier this month.

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The 19-year-old has until Friday afternoon in England to make a decision over her participation at the traditional Wimbledon lead-up event, where it's almost certain she will take no part.

The British No.1 saw her preparations for Wimbledon dealt a major blow when she was forced to retire from her match at Nottingham against Viktorija Golubic earlier in June.

Raducanu managed to get through only seven games before she called a premature end to the match.

It prompted speculation she would enter the Eastbourne tournament to get some much needed time on court before a tilt at Wimbledon.

However, the US Open champion has yet to request a wild card entry to the event and looks set to head to the All England Club with very little match-practice on grass.

It was at last year's Wimbledon where Raducanu burst on to the scene with victories over Vitalia Diatchenko, Marketa Vondrousova and Sorana Cirstea to become the youngest British women to reach the last 16 of the tournament in the open era.

After her exploits at SW19, the teenager managed to produce one of the biggest shocks in sporting history with success at the US Open after initially coming through qualifying.

Raducanu has not had such a big impact at the grand slams this year with second round appearances at the Australian Open and Roland Garros but expectation was high ahead of her Wimbledon return.

If the teenager does not play Eastbourne as expected, it will mean she has only managed 35 minutes of match time on grass before going into the third major of 2022.

The 19-year-old had to pull the pin just seven games into her match against Golubic because of the side complaint in Nottingham - the latest in a growing list of injury concerns for the star.

Raducanu could be seen grabbing at her side in the opening game of the match and struggled for the remainder, calling a medical timeout but never recovering.

Playing her first match on home soil since she won the US Open in September, Raducanu said she had "no idea" whether she will be fit for Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu's injury concerns mount

Raducanu has now withdrawn from a string of tournaments due to various injuries, since bursting onto the tennis scene with her stunning US Open triumph.

The World No.11 also bowed out of matches in Guadalajara in February and Rome in May, and had to skip the current grass court tournament in Birmingham.

It raises further questions about Raducanu's fitness as she continues to struggle with the physical demands of life on the WTA Tour.

The British teenager, who made her WTA debut at Nottingham 12 months ago, has not won more than two matches at a tournament since her remarkable journey from the qualifying rounds to the title at the US Open.

"It is just a shame. I am obviously disappointed and it is really bad luck," Raducanu said.

"That's out of my control, but right now all I can focus on is what I am doing and I think I am doing a lot of good work.

"I just need to trust that it will come and right now it is happening for a reason and I am exactly where I need to be."

with agencies

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