Emma Raducanu's Wimbledon preparations were thrown into turmoil after the US Open champion was forced to retire from her Nottingham Open first round match on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old needed a medical timeout in the early stages of her match against Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic after suffering an injury. She received treatment on her left side and took painkillers to carry on, but had to pull out after just 33 minutes while trailing 4-3 in the first set.
Raducanu revealed she had "no idea" whether she will be fit for Wimbledon. The Briton will have a scan on what she called a "freak injury" and said it is too early to know whether she will be able to play at SW19 - the scene of her historic breakthrough last summer.
It was the third time Raducanu had withdrawn from a tournament due to injury since she burst on to the scene with her stunning US Open triumph in September last year.
"The first game, an absolute freak, I think I pulled something, I am not really sure what exactly happened," she said.
"I have just come off court, an absolute freak injury. I don't know what I could have done more about it. That is it. I need to get a scan first. I am not going to 'Google doctor' myself. I will get it checked out, then we will see from there.
"I have no idea [about Wimbledon]. It could have just seized up and gone into spasm and then it is really bad for a few days. I have no idea. I cannot diagnosis myself. I will get it checked out."
The world No 11 also pulled out of matches in Guadalajara in February and Rome in May with injuries. The latest retirement will raise further questions about Raducanu's fitness to handle the physical demands of life on the WTA Tour.
She is due to play in Birmingham next week, but doubts about her participation at Wimbledon are certain to increase ahead of the start of the grass-court Grand Slam on June 27.
Raducanu, who made her WTA debut at Nottingham 12 months ago, has not won more than two matches at a tournament since her remarkable journey from the qualifying rounds to the title at the US Open.
The 19-year-old, who has been without a full-time coach since April, shot to stardom last September when, as a qualifier, she won the US Open title, becoming Britain's first female Grand Slam champion since Virginia Wade in 1977.
-
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada to win the 2021 women's US Open. AFP -
Emma Raducanu, of Britain, poses outside Arthur Ashe Stadium with the championship trophy. AP Photo -
Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after winning a point against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters -
Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. Getty Images -
Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada celebrates with the runner-up trophy. AFP -
The bloodied knee of Britain's Emma Raducanu is seen as she celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Britain's Emma Raducanu hugs Canada's Leylah Fernandez after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy and ball kids after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy alongside Billie Jean King, Stacey Allaster, USTA Chief Executive, and USTA President Mike McNulty. AFP -
Fans watch British teenager Emma Raducanu compete with Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final at The Parklangley Club, in Beckenham, England. AP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrate. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain returns the ball against Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Suzanne Williams, Strength and Conditioning coach for Emma Raducanu aged 8-12, watches the US Open tennis match remotely at the Parklangley Club in Beckenham, England, as she celebrates Raducanu winning. PA -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates winning championship point to defeat Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Leylah Fernandez of Canada hits a backhand against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with fans. EPA -
Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts after defeating Lelyah Fernandez of Canada to win the US Open final. EPA
