Emma Raducanu ready for scan ahead of Australian Open as Brit points to freak injury
Emma Raducanu blamed a 'very slippery' indoor court for the 'abnormal' ankle injury that cast doubt on her Australian Open. The distraught British No.1 broke down in tears after withdrawing from her second match at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Heavy rain had interrupted outdoor play for two days and the former US Open champion took on world No. 134 Viktoria Kuzmova on a deserted indoor court. After winning the first set 6-0 in just 22 minutes, Raducanu twisted her left ankle at the end of the second set which she lost 7-5. She had a long treatment and ankle strapping but couldn't continue and conceded in tears after just one point in the third set.
The 20-year-old Bromley-based star is expected to experience the extent of the damage on Friday with the first Grand Slam of the season starting in Melbourne on January 16. Express Sport understands Raducanu's team will assess him in the morning, but the Briton will likely have an analysis of the issue. "It's hard to take it," she said. "I've worked a lot physically in the last few months and I feel good and optimistic.
"So to be stopped by a freak injury, rolling an ankle is quite disappointing, the first week as well. I thought I was playing pretty decent tennis. The courts are incredibly smooth, very slippery, so to be honest this no surprise this has happened to someone.
"It's out of my control and after a very long day of waiting. But we will assess over the next few days and see what the next steps are. Raducau also faced a race against time to getting back into shape for Wimbledon last year after suffering a side strain during a warm-up in Nottingham.
She contracted Covid in December 2020 and lost at the Australian Open last year suffering from blisters and withdrew from four tournaments with different injuries in a shortened season that s ended in October due to a wrist problem. But she has since employed Andy Murray's former fitness trainer, Jez Green, and spent two months in the gym before returning to the tennis court on December 9.
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Raducanu retires injured in ASB Classic and could now miss the Australian Open
After receiving her MBE at Windsor Castle and attending the World Cup final, Raducanu arrived in New Zealand via Singapore with a new trial coach - Sebastian Sachs - and a New Year's wish. "So for 2023, my goal is to stay healthy longer," she said. "I'm looking forward to hard work because I have a better idea of what to expect now. Then I'll be less of a deer in the headlights."
Top seed Coco Gauff had no problem beating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-4 under the roof. "The game is a game," said the American teenager. "I don't care if it's indoors, outdoors. In Australia you probably have to play with the roof.”
Emma Raducanu blamed a 'very slippery' indoor court for the 'abnormal' ankle injury that cast doubt on her Australian Open. The distraught British No.1 broke down in tears after withdrawing from her second match at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Heavy rain had interrupted outdoor play for two days and the former US Open champion took on world No. 134 Viktoria Kuzmova on a deserted indoor court. After winning the first set 6-0 in just 22 minutes, Raducanu twisted her left ankle at the end of the second set which she lost 7-5. She had a long treatment and ankle strapping but couldn't continue and conceded in tears after just one point in the third set.
The 20-year-old Bromley-based star is expected to experience the extent of the damage on Friday with the first Grand Slam of the season starting in Melbourne on January 16. Express Sport understands Raducanu's team will assess him in the morning, but the Briton will likely have an analysis of the issue. "It's hard to take it," she said. "I've worked a lot physically in the last few months and I feel good and optimistic.
"So to be stopped by a freak injury, rolling an ankle is quite disappointing, the first week as well. I thought I was playing pretty decent tennis. The courts are incredibly smooth, very slippery, so to be honest this no surprise this has happened to someone.
"It's out of my control and after a very long day of waiting. But we will assess over the next few days and see what the next steps are. Raducau also faced a race against time to getting back into shape for Wimbledon last year after suffering a side strain during a warm-up in Nottingham.
She contracted Covid in December 2020 and lost at the Australian Open last year suffering from blisters and withdrew from four tournaments with different injuries in a shortened season that s ended in October due to a wrist problem. But she has since employed Andy Murray's former fitness trainer, Jez Green, and spent two months in the gym before returning to the tennis court on December 9.
READ MORE Raducanu retires injured in ASB Classic and could now miss the Australian Open
After receiving her MBE at Windsor Castle and attending the World Cup final, Raducanu arrived in New Zealand via Singapore with a new trial coach - Sebastian Sachs - and a New Year's wish. "So for 2023, my goal is to stay healthy longer," she said. "I'm looking forward to hard work because I have a better idea of what to expect now. Then I'll be less of a deer in the headlights."
Top seed Coco Gauff had no problem beating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-4 under the roof. "The game is a game," said the American teenager. "I don't care if it's indoors, outdoors. In Australia you probably have to play with the roof.”
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