Emma Raducanu’s participation in the 2023 Australian Open seems to be in doubt after she was forced to retire from her second round match at the WTA Auckland.
Raducanu rolled her ankle during that encounter against Viktoria Kuzmova and couldn’t continue after the first two sets with the match delicately poised at a set apiece.
The 2021 US Open winner, who has had her share of fitness issues in the previous season, left the court in tears after having shredded her opponent’s serve in the first set. She had pocketed the opening set to love but then lost the second to a fighting Kuzmova.
With the score reading 6-0, 5-7 though, Raducanu called on a trainer to take a look at her ankle and tried to play on in the third set but then decided to retire from the match. Kuzmova will take on Danka Kovinic in the quarterfinal of the WTA Auckland after Raducanu’s withdrawal.
This injury is the latest in the long list of fitness concerns for the Brit, who retired from four matches last season and has had a wrist injury she has been nursing too.
Earlier, Raducanu had won her opening round match against talented Czech teenager Linda Fruhvirtova, pocketing it 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
More news is now awaited on Raducanu’s participating in the 2023 Australian Open which will be held in about 10 days from now in Melbourne.
We will update you with the latest on Raducanu’s chances of taking part in the season’s first Grand Slam in this article as and when we get more information.
More Information to Follow…