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Emma Raducanu retires hurt during match with Viktorija Golubic in first round of Nottingham Open
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Raducanu has medical time-out after three games with apparent side strain
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British No 1 tries to continue but stops four games later putting Wimbledon participation in doubt
Emma Raducanu admits she has ‘no idea’ if she will be fit for Wimbledon after retiring just seven games into her British homecoming at the Rothsey Nottingham Open.
The US Open champion – who has suffered a string of fitness issues since her breakthrough triumph in New York last September – was a break down at 4-3 in the first set against Viktorija Golubic when she finally succumbed to what appeared to be a side strain.
And with Wimbledon less than three weeks away the British No 1 says her place at the tournament is in doubt after suffering what she described as ‘a freak injury.
“I was feeling really good, to be honest, to go out and play and open up my grass season at home, and the welcome I got straight away was really nice and I felt really comfortable, to be honest,” she said.
“First game, absolute freak. I think I pulled something. I’m not really sure what exactly happened. I just came off court.
“But, absolute freak injury, I think. I don’t know what I could’ve done more about it. So, that’s it.
“I need to get a scan first, probably.
“I’ll get it checked out and then we’ll see from there.
“It’s on the side of my body. It feels, I don’t know, maybe around my rib or something.
“I’ve got no idea [about being fit for Wimbledon]. It could’ve just seized up and spasmed and then it’s really bad for a few days. But I’ve got no idea. I can’t diagnose myself, so I’ll get it checked out.”
The 19-year-old had first shown signs of discomfort in the very first game of the match. An apparent side strain duly required a medical timeout at the first change of ends and two more bouts of treatment.
It was clear something was not right when she was broken in the very first game but she immediately broke back and went into the changeover 2-1 ahead, despite having asked for the trainer.
A couple of painkillers and several minutes of intense manipulation later and she was back on court to cries of “Go on Emma!” from a supportive Centre Court crowd.
She even broke her Swiss opponent to go 3-1 up but her injury was clearly affecting her ability to serve and she lost three games in a row in quick succession, two on serve, before deciding enough was enough.
Raducanu retires injured from Nottingham Open, as it happened:
12:58 PM
Raducanu’s run of injuries continues
Read Ben Rumsby’s above report from Nottingham for a full recap or scroll down to see how the injury drama unfolded in real time.
12:47 PM
Golubic speaks post match
“I’m a little bit shocked. I am still in my match focus and bubble.
“I didn’t expect this to happen. I feel sorry for Emma. I was looking forward to a tough challenge.
“This Centre Court is really beautiful. I wanted to stay on it. It is unfortunate it has ended like this. It is a sad way to finish and I hope she recovers.”
12:40 PM
So, will Raducanu be ready for Wimbledon?
Wimbledon starts on June 27 and right now it looks touch-and-go. Fingers crossed it is not as serious as it looks and Raducanu retiring was precautionary.
12:35 PM
Viktorija Golubic is into the second round
12:33 PM
It is unclear exactly what the injury is
It looks like Raducanu has hurt her side. It could be her abdominals, her back or even her ribs judging from where she was getting treatment.
A side injury could be really problematic going forward, especially for her serve and her back hand.
12:31 PM
Raducanu exits the court
12:24 PM
Raducanu pointing to her injury while being examined
12:22 PM
Raducanu retires!
That is that! She clearly could not go on. Raducanu’s mounting injuries are becoming a real worry.
12:20 PM
Yet more treatment for Raducanu
Surely she is going to have to stop? Her side is causing all sorts of bother. Raducanu’s serve has lost all its venom.
12:19 PM
*Raducanu 3-4 Golubic (*denotes server)
Raducanu’s serve has lost all its pace. The side injury is clearly causing issues. She loses the first point but responds well with a forehand. 15-15.
Golubic moves to a two-point lead with a thumping forehand down the line. The crowd is trying to help Raducanu but Golubic breaks after a deft drop shot.
12:16 PM
Raducanu 3-3 Golubic* (*denotes server)
The pair exchange points before Raducanu loses a long rally due a vicious backhand from her opponent. 30-15. An ace follows.
Another follows. Scores even.
12:14 PM
More medical treatment for Raducanu
Is it worth her carrying on? She has a big summer ahead. More treatment continues on the court.
Raducanu will play on.
12:13 PM
Raducanu* 3-2 Golubic (*denotes server)
Golubic responds in style, winning the first three points of Raducanu’s serve before a strong forehand takes the score to 15-40. Golubic breaks!
12:09 PM
Raducanu 3-1 Golubic* (*denotes server)
Raducanu is in apparent discomfort. But she will continue… Raducanu wins the first point of the game with a powerful backhand. 0-15.
Raducanu is playing well despite the injury, extending her lead to 15-40 with some strong ground strokes. And she breaks!
12:04 PM
Medical time-out continues
Raducanu pops a couple of pills of, presumably, painkillers. She then lies down on the ground as the medical attention continues. It could be her abdominals rather than her back or side.
It is not looking good.
12:01 PM
Raducanu is getting medical attention
The trainer is out to have a look at Raducanu… she looks deeply frustrated. It looks like the trainer is having a look at her side. It could be her ribs or more likely her back.
12:00 PM
Raducanu* 2-1 Golubic (*denotes server)
Raducanu looks a little stiff, stretching her back periodically. She starts this game well, winning the first two points with ease. Golubic fights back. 30-15.
A long rally ends in Raducanu’s favour after Golubic’s forehand is wide of the target once more. A strong serve seals the hold.
11:57 AM
Raducanu 1-1 Golubic* (*denotes server)
Golubic starts with a double fault. A rally follows from the second point but the Swiss player sends a forehand far too long. 0-30.
Raducanu rushes to the net but Golubic lofts it over her head to get back into the game. 15-30. Raducanu takes the next point, can she break straight back? Not yet… she shanks a backhand. 30-40.
Golubic nails a one-handed backhand down the line to take it to deuce. A point apiece, back to deuce.
Raducanu moves to advantage after ending a long rally with a lovely forehand down the line. That’s more like it. Raducanu then tries to capitalise on a second serve but her backhand is long. Deuce.
Golubic finds the net with a backhand. Break point number four for Raducanu. There is the break! Golubic pulls a forehand well wide.
11:50 AM
Raducanu* 0-1 Golubic (*denotes server)
Raducanu makes a strong start with an ace. Golubic responds well, winning the next point. 15-15.
A double fault hands Golubic the lead before Raducanu draws the scores back level. She is struggling with her serve so far, hitting the net with her first and then losing a long rally after her second. 30-40.
Another long rally ends with Golubic executing a delicate drop shot to break Raducanu!
11:45 AM
Here we go!
Raducanu will serve first.
11:41 AM
Raducanu is second seed for the Nottingham Open
She is expected to win today.
11:38 AM
Here comes Raducanu
Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland enters the arena first, followed by home crowd hero Emma Raducanu, who gets a very warm welcome.
11:24 AM
Top-seed Sakkari has won in straight-sets
6-2, 6-3 to the Greek. Raducanu will be out on court to warm-up shortly.
11:13 AM
Sakakri leads the second set 4-2
So here is what Raducanu had to say ahead of today’s match:
“Personally I think I know what I’m doing. I’m trusting the work I’m doing. I’m still 19 and I’ve already won a Grand Slam so I can take my time and put things in place because I know my motivation isn’t any less. It is still as much but it isn’t always going to be smooth sailing where you just clean up every week.
“[Nottingham] was my first WTA Tour tournament so to come back 12 months later full circle knowing what happened is pretty surreal. It is where it started over for me and I am proud of what I have achieved over the last 12 months. I am not being so hard on myself and I am really, really enjoying my time right now and also believing in the work I am doing day in, day out. I know it will come some time, the grass season is going to be a lot of fun.”
10:59 AM
Elsewhere in tennis…
While we wait for Raducanu, elsewhere in tennis Great Britain get Billie Jean King Cup reprieve… as event hosts
The LTA’s successful bid to host the tournament means GB have been awarded an automatic place in November’s finals
10:51 AM
Raducanu is next on centre court…
Sakkari took the first set against Osorio 6-2. The second has just got under way.
09:17 AM
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of the Nottingham Open
Britain’s Emma Raducanu said she will not rush into a decision over appointing a permanent coach as she begins preparations for the grasscourt season ahead of Wimbledon, which commences later this month.
The 19-year-old has been without a full-time coach after splitting with German coach Torben Beltz in April.
“I want to take my time with this decision,” Raducanu told reporters on Monday. “Nothing has changed. I still have the same people, good people, around me. I don’t want to rush into anything.
“Personally, I think I know what I’m doing. I’m trusting what I’m doing and the work I’m doing. I’m still 19 and I’ve already won a Grand Slam so I can take my time and put things in place because I know my motivation isn’t any less.”
Raducanu shot to stardom last September when, as a qualifier, she stormed to the U.S. Open title, becoming Britain’s first female Grand Slam champion since Virginia Wade in 1977.
She has struggled since winning her maiden Grand Slam, but the Briton said she was “not being so hard” on herself despite the sky-high expectations that accompanied her early success.
“I’m really enjoying my time right now and also just really believing in the work I’m doing,” Raducanu said.
“I don’t think anyone would say, ‘I wish I didn’t win a Grand Slam at 18’ because that is what I set out to do when I started playing tennis – and I did that.
“For that to happen very soon definitely comes with a lot of challenges but managing, learning and growing through the adversities that I have faced – I would much rather have that, learn from those experiences and keep building and progressing.”
Raducanu, who was eliminated in the second round of the French Open, will face Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic in the Nottingham Open today.
Reuters