EMMA RADUCANU has been spotted at Wimbledon wearing ankle support.
The former US Open champion, 23, rocked up to Aorangi Park on Saturday afternoon, having decided not to practise on site for the past three days.
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Emma Raducanu was spotted in ankle support as she arrived at Wimbledon Credit: Reuters
The Brit is preparing to face Antonia Ruzic Credit: PA
When Raducanu showed up at Court Six at noon, there was tape around her right foot, which is the area which has been the most troublesome.
It was during her run to the Queen’s final, where she was beaten 6-0 7-6 by Croatian Donna Vekic, that she picked up the niggle.
Though she managed to fulfil the hour-long duties with coach Andrew Richardson and pal Jane O’Donoghue, she did receive treatment on the ground after 25 minutes.
For a few minutes, she took off her trainers and her right foot was inspected by a trainer.
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And before that, she placed a comfort insole into one of her shoes.
Two days before she faces Croatian Antonia Ruzic on No1 Court, the good news was that she was back on the Wimbledon grass and in her whites.
But there were signs she was not moving as freely and was struggling for power in her serve.
After that 60-minute work-out, she headed with her team to Court 3 where she played points with Russia’s No19 Anna Kalinskaya.
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Raducanu picked up an injury at Queen’s Credit: PA
This was a far more competitive exercise and at least she was able to gauge her fitness and endurance against top-level opposition.
There had been concerns about whether Raducanu would play next week on her fifth appearance in the Wimbledon main draw.
The No30 seed did not book a practice court on site on Friday and has been absent from the TV cameras for several days.
If she wins her battle to be physically ready, then Raducanu could face world No1 Aryna Sabalenka in round three of Wimbledon for the second year running.
Meanwhile, Raducanu claims the return of Andrew Richardson as coach has enabled her to feel “free” and “expressive” on and off the court.
Last month, she sent a text to Richardson and asked if he would join her team for the summer months, having split ways after that fairytale US Open victory.
Together they have an incredible strike rate, winning 22 of 28 matches, reaching three finals out of seven tournaments, and, of course, winning the New York Slam in 2021.
What she did at Flushing Meadows – she won the event as a qualifier, on her debut and without dropping a set – is one of the most incredible stories in British sport this century.
There had been fears that Raducanu would miss Wimbledon Credit: Getty
The one-time US Open champion had an hour-long session at Wimbledon earlier today Credit: Reuters
Unlike previous coaches, and there have been many, Richardson – best man at Tim Henman’s wedding – brings the best out of the British ace.
Raducanu gushed: “I mean the secret is he just allows me to be myself.
“He creates an environment where he lets me be free, be expressive.
“He doesn’t try and mould me in any particular way and I play very instinctively and my personality really comes out on the court when I’m playing well.
“He sets up practices to let me do that and yeah, of course, the connection we have is great, too.
“I’m grateful and glad to have him back in my corner.”
