Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu demonstrated promising form by reaching the quarterfinals against top seed Daria Kasatkina in Seoul. However, she had to withdraw from that match due to a foot injury.
As a result, she has also pulled out of the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, where she explained the situation on social media.
Raducanu shared on X: “Hi everyone, last week in Seoul I sprained some ligaments in my foot, which unfortunately need more time to heal. This means I can’t play in Beijing, but I hope to return to competition as soon as possible.”
Since her surprising victory at Flushing Meadows three years ago, injuries have plagued Raducanu, and she spent much of 2023 recovering from wrist and ankle surgeries. This latest injury could keep her sidelined, as a sprained foot can either heal in a couple of weeks or potentially end her season if it’s more severe.
There are three grades of this injury that Raducanu might be dealing with:
– **Grade I:** 2 to 4 weeks to heal.
– **Grade II:** 6 to 8 weeks, possibly needing treatments like a splint.
– **Grade III:** 6 to 8 months for complete recovery.
Her social media update suggests she hasn’t sustained a severe injury, but it appears unlikely that she will participate in the Asian swing of the WTA Tour, including the qualifying rounds for the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan next month.
Raducanu has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga this November, after her strong performance helped secure her nation’s spot by winning two singles matches against France in April. She will need to assess her fitness for that event, with Britain’s opening match against Germany scheduled for November 15.
If her injury is Grade II, she may miss the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, but last week she expressed her commitment to play as much tennis as possible for the remainder of 2024.
She mentioned, “I plan to finish the season and play as many matches as I can, as long as I’m healthy.” She recognized that her limited match play since her last-16 finish at Wimbledon has hindered her progress and emphasized the need for more competitive experience.
Raducanu’s aspirations to finish the year on a high note may now be jeopardized by this latest injury, as she continues to face fitness challenges that are as formidable as any opponent on the court.