Tearful Raducanu’s freak ankle injury days ahead of Australian Open

US Open 2021 winner Emma Raducanu had to concede her second round match in Auckland’s ASB Classic after rolling her ankle on the slippery surface with the match poised at one set all.

Raducanu was initially scheduled to play her match against Viktoria Kuzmova on an outdoor court but the match was moved to an indoor court due to persistent rain.

The indoor courts at the ASB Classic had not been re-surfaced ahead of the tournament, making them very difficult to gain any traction on.

The 20-year-old Brit had taken the lead against Kuzmova easily winning the opening set 6-0, but the Slovak  drew level and took the second set 7-5.

Raducanu couldn’t continue and blamed slippery court conditions for her injury, and also criticized the long wait to play her match.

She left the court in tears and speaking to the media later said “It’s difficult to take. I’ve put a lot of physical work in the last few months and I’ve been feeling good and optimistic.

So to be stopped by a freak injury, rolling an ankle, is pretty disappointing.”

With the start of the Australian Open just eleven days away her participation must be in doubt.