WATCH: Fans Worried As Emma Raducanu Practices With Bandaged Thigh

Monday, 19 September 2022 at 13:35

Updated at Tuesday, 26 November 2024 at 04:22

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byJordan Reynolds

Emma Raducanu's hopes of going far at the upcoming Korea Open have been put in doubt by footage of the Briton practicing with a bandaged thigh.

Raducanu has struggled for consistency throughout 2022. She decided to change her team during the season and has been working with Dimitry Tursunov since the start of the North American hardcourt swing in July.

Tursunov had a very successful period as Anett Kontaveit's coach until the pair's surprising split earlier this season. How disappointed Tursunov was by the parting made it evident that Kontaveit decided to split.

Although it is too soon to make a definitive judgment on whether Raducanu and Tursunov will be successful together, the 19-year-old's form has not improved yet. One exception was a victory against Serena Williams, who bid farewell to tennis at the US Open, in Cincinnati.

Since winning last year's US Open, Raducanu has had to manage increased expectations and media scrutiny. She lost in the opening round this year at Flushing Meadows to Alize Cornet but might be slightly relieved not to be the defending champion anymore.

The teenager decided to play at last week's Slovenia Open to try and find some form, but that did not go as planned. Raducanu overcame Dayana Yastremska after the Ukrainian retired in the second set before a very disappointing loss to Anna-Lena Friedsam.

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Last year's US Open winner has enough issues without considering injury issues. However, the video below shows Raducanu practicing for the Korea Open in Seoul with her left thigh bandaged.

Based on the short clip, it is challenging to assess Raducanu's likelihood of playing in Seoul. She seems to be participating in a low-intensity training drill, possibly before a fuller practice session afterward.

Hopefully, Raducanu does not have a severe injury issue. It would be a final kick in the teeth for her after a challenging 2022 season.