Emma Raducanu will miss the French Open and Wimbledon after opting to undergo surgery on both hands in an attempt to finally move on from persistent issues.
The 20-year-old has been plagued with injuries since her stunning US Open victory in the summer of 2021, and recently withdrew from the Madrid Open due to a wrist problem that has been a regular concern. She will next week drop out of the world’s top 100.
Raducanu took to social media to confirm a “minor procedure” on both hands to address the issue, as well as surgery on her ankle, as she shared a picture following the operation on her right hand.
No exact timeframe has been given on her return, but Raducanu confirmed she will miss the summer events and so will not feature at either the French Open or Wimbledon, which gets underway at the start of July. Her participation at the US Open, beginning on August 28, is also in significant doubt.
“It is safe to say the last ten months have been difficult as I dealt with a recurring injury on a bone of both hands,” Raducanu wrote.
“I tried my best to manage the pain and play through it for most of this year and end of last year by reducing practice load dramatically, missing weeks of training as well as cutting last season short to try to heal it, unfortunately it’s not enough.
“I’m having a minor prodcedure done on both hands to resolve the issues. I’m disappointed to share that I will be out for the next few months and while I am at it will have another minor procedure that is due on my ankle.”
Ahead of the Madrid Open, Raducanu cut a frustrated figure at a press conference as she batted away questions on her form and fitness, before later pulling out of the tournament with a right hand injury.
Raducanu last played in Stuttgart when winning just three games in a heavy defeat to Jelena Ostapenko, after she also fell to a first-round defeat at the Miami Open. There had however been more promising signs earlier in the year, with the British number one relatively positive after defeat to Coco Gauff at the Australian Open before she then won three matches at Indian Wells.
However, familiar injury problems could not be overcome and there is now a strong possibility that her next major appearance comes in Melbourne next year.
“It pains me that I will miss the summer events and I tried to downplay the issues so I thank all my fans who continued to support me when you did not know the facts,” Raducanu continued.
“Looking forward to seeing you all back out there.”
