BREAKING NEWS: Emma Raducano exits Madrid Open with hand injury – and could now lose her top 100 ranking – hours after her bizarre 58-word interview
- Emma Radukano was due to face Bulgarian Victoria Tomova on Wednesday
- The latest setback is yet another blow to a difficult season for the 2021 US Open winner
- The lack of court time means she may now require a wildcard to enter Wimbledon
Emma Raducano on Wednesday She withdrew from her scheduled first round match at the Madrid Open, citing a problem with her right hand.
The British No. 1 may now fall out of the top 100 as she will lose points gained from reaching the third round at Caja Magica twelve months ago.
Radukano was due to play Bulgarian Viktoria Tomova at Manolo Santana’s home court on Wednesday afternoon, but did not appear on the morning training schedules.
This is the latest setback for the 2021 US Open champion in another tough season.
On Tuesday, looking somewhat drawn-out, she gave a blunt preview interview on the tournament’s media day, giving monosyllabic answers to relatively sedate questions, no mention of any specific problem with her hand.
Emma Raducano has withdrawn from the Madrid Open after an injury to her right hand
It comes shortly after the reporters’ hamper, with only 58 words answered to 16 questions.
She is due to play at the Italian Open in Rome next weekend after Roland Garros, although not much is known about her recent fitness problem.
She’s only managed 10 matches so far this season, compiling a 5-5 record and can now claim a wildcard to enter Wimbledon.
There were concerns about the British star heading into the tournament after her interactions with the media on Tuesday
This was evident in counting the number of words I managed — 58 — in response to sixteen questions on Tuesday. They were asked politely by two writers from the UK who ventured to open one of the biggest events on the calendar outside of Grand Slams.
By the end of the awkward encounter that lasted less than three minutes, you can only infer that the stress of defending her top 100 is starting to tell. And you can certainly conclude that the novelty of dealing with people like us has faded.
It is a far cry from her positive interactions with the media after her shock victory at the US Open in 2021
Entering a largely deserted co-ed area, it quickly becomes apparent that Emma, who appears somewhat drawn, has fixed bayonets.
Gentle questions about her physical condition were met with monosyllabic answers. An attempt to brighten up her recent defeat failed to lighten the mood.
Not long after this futile exercise, the duty assistant from the WTA Tour abandoned the bewildering procedures, leaving us to turn our attention to other players who were coming dutifully to fulfill their responsibilities, like Andy Murray.
It must be said that Raducanu, naturally intelligent and articulate, has generally handled this aspect of her job with aplomb thus far.
