LONDON — British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu sent shockwaves through Wimbledon on Wednesday after suffering a frightening injury scare during her second-round match against Elise Mertens. The 21-year-old US Open champion slipped on Centre Court, clutching her left thigh in visible pain before lying motionless for several tense moments.
The Moment of Concern
Raducanu, who received a wildcard entry to this year's Championships, was trailing 4-5 in the first set when the incident occurred. As she stretched for a wide forehand, her left foot appeared to lose traction on the grass surface. The 2021 US Open champion immediately grabbed her left thigh before collapsing onto her back, drawing gasps from the capacity crowd. "I just felt this sharp pain and knew something wasn't right," Raducanu later told reporters.
Medical staff rushed to the court as Raducanu remained prone for nearly three minutes. The scene evoked memories of her mid-match retirement at Nottingham last month due to a side strain. Tournament referee Gerry Armstrong was seen consulting with officials as concerned murmurs spread through Centre Court.
Medical Assessment and Play Resumes
After receiving on-court treatment, Raducanu remarkably continued play following a medical timeout. She had her left thigh heavily strapped and appeared to move cautiously between points. The British No. 3 showed tremendous grit to force a first-set tiebreak, which she ultimately lost 7-6(6).
Key observations from the medical incident:
- Raducanu immediately signaled for help after the fall
- Medical staff focused attention on her left adductor region
- The injury timeout lasted 8 minutes—the maximum allowed under WTA rules
- Raducanu tested the injury with several practice serves before continuing
Match Outcome and Post-Match Reactions
Despite her valiant effort, Raducanu ultimately fell to the experienced Mertens 6-7(6), 5-7 in a match lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Belgian world No. 33 showed great sportsmanship throughout, frequently checking on her opponent's condition. "I could see she was struggling with movement, so I just tried to keep the rallies going," Mertens said in her on-court interview.
Raducanu's coach, Nick Cavaday, was seen in deep discussion with tournament doctors after the match. The young star later confirmed she would undergo scans to assess the damage. "We'll have to wait for the medical report, but obviously it's concerning when you can't move properly," she admitted.
Injury History and Scheduling Concerns
This latest scare adds to Raducanu's growing list of physical setbacks since her historic 2021 US Open triumph. The player has undergone surgeries on both wrists and one ankle in the past 18 months. Tennis analysts have questioned whether her intense schedule—playing both singles and mixed doubles at Wimbledon—may have contributed to the latest issue.
Notable injuries in Raducanu's career:
- 2022: Wrist surgeries (both hands)
- 2023: Ankle surgery after Australian Open
- 2024: Side strain at Nottingham (retired mid-match)
- Multiple minor injuries causing tournament withdrawals
Expert Analysis
Sports medicine specialist Dr. Sarah Jarvis told BBC Sport that Raducanu's injury pattern raises questions: "When you see a young athlete with this frequency of soft tissue injuries, you have to look at both training load and biomechanics. The adductor strain today suggests possible muscle imbalance issues."
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman expressed sympathy but also concern: "Emma's talent is undeniable, but her body keeps letting her down at crucial moments. She and her team need to find a long-term solution to these physical setbacks."
What's Next for Raducanu?
With the Paris Olympics just weeks away, Raducanu faces a race against time to recover. As a former Grand Slam champion, she remains one of British tennis's brightest hopes, but her persistent injury issues continue to overshadow her undeniable talent. The LTA confirmed she would remain under medical observation before making any decisions about future tournaments.
Raducanu's determination was evident in her post-match comments: "I don't want to make excuses. I gave everything I had out there today. Now we'll assess the damage and go from there." The tennis world will be holding its breath for positive news about one of the sport's most exciting yet fragile talents.