CROCKED ace Emma Raducanu cut short her practice yesterday and cancelled a press conference — plunging her participation in Wimbledon into fresh doubt.
The British No 1, who has a foot injury, trained with her right ankle heavily strapped before wrapping up the session early.
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Emma Raducanu cut short her practice yesterday and cancelled a press conference Credit: PA
Emma, who has a foot injury, trained with her right ankle heavily strapped before wrapping up the session early Credit: Getty
The All England Club said Emma will speak to the media today.
She is due to play Croatian Antonia Ruzic in the first round on No 1 Court tomorrow.
Emma, 23, had earlier enjoyed a romantic two-hour riverside date with her new man, 32-year-old PR exec John Friend.
Onlookers saw them beside the River Thames at Ham, South West London, on Wednesday evening — Emma with her foot in an orthopaedic boot.
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A source said: “They sat among lots of other people who were enjoying picnics in the hot weather.
“They weren’t hiding, but looked deep in conversation together and laughed quite a lot.
“From the orthopaedic boot it was obvious Emma was injured.
“I’m sure he was helping to console her over the stress of it.”
The move plunged her participation in Wimbledon into fresh doubt Credit: PA
Emma, 23, had earlier enjoyed a romantic two-hour riverside date with her new man, 32-year-old PR exec John Friend Credit: TillenDove
Emma missed her booked training session on Thursday.
She made it to the final at Queen’s Club two weeks ago, the furthest she has gone in a competition since her US Open win in 2021.
Shirley’s still ace aged 93
Great-grandma Shirley Critchley is still serving up winners aged 93 Credit: BNPS
Shirley — believed to be Britain’s oldest female tennis player — started playing when she was 11, inspired by her grandad Thomas Haydon — a Wimbledon founder Credit: BNPS
GREAT-grandma Shirley Critchley is still serving up winners aged 93.
Shirley — believed to be Britain’s oldest female tennis player — started playing when she was 11, inspired by her grandad Thomas Haydon — a Wimbledon founder.
At 14 she was coached by BBC tennis icon Dan Maskell but stopped playing for 23 years after she married and had two kids.
She returned to Wimbledon to win an over-65s doubles championship — and at 80 became Britain’s No1 veteran clay champ.
Shirley no longer plays in competitions but enjoys tennis and the racket sport of pickleball with friends at home in Dorset.
The ex-teacher, with seven grandkids and a great-granddaughter, said: “I’ve played twice this week, have pickleball and a practice at the weekend.
“Four times in a week is not bad at 93. I’ve no plan to stop any time soon.”
By Eleanor Gunn
