Emma Raducanu has revealed why she had to withdraw from the WTA 1000 event at the China Open.
The 2021 US Open champion planned to play a busy Asian swing to try and improve her ranking and results. That would have lifted her spirits after a mixed return to the sport in 2024.
Raducanu was out for nine months with severe wrist and ankle injuries that required surgery. She made her comeback at the start of this season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, which Coco Gauff eventually won.
There have been encouraging moments in 2024 for Raducanu. She came close to reaching the final of the Nottingham Open, narrowly losing to her compatriot Katie Boulter. Raducanu also progressed to the fourth round of Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old's best performances probably came at the Billie Jean King Cup in April against France away from home on clay. She produced two superb displays against Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry to lead Team Great Britain to an upset triumph.
However, there have also been difficult moments. Raducanu was criticized for entering the US Open after not having played a match in over three weeks. She lost in the first round at Flushing Meadows to Sofia Kenin.
Raducanu admitted that playing so few matches before the year's final Grand Slam was a mistake. She attempted to rectify that by starting the Asian swing earlier at the Korea Open in Seoul.
The Briton played well in the opening two rounds. After a tough battle, she overcame Peyton Stearns in two tiebreaks before defeating Yue Yuan more comfortably in straight sets to reach the quarterfinal.
Unfortunately, Raducanu retired after 31 minutes of her quarterfinal against Daria Kasatkina. She lost the opening set 1-6 and was visibly struggling with what appeared to be a leg injury.
Raducanu had proven her intention to play a busy Asian swing by signing up for the Wuhan Open qualifying, but she withdrew from the China Open in Beijing before that because of the injury she sustained in Seoul.
The former US Open winner updated her fans about the injury on social media, revealing she had sprained ligaments in her foot during the match against Kasatkina.
"Hello, last week in Seoul i sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal. It means i can’t play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as i can."
The issue is less severe than the wrist and ankle problems that sidelined her last year. However, it is still a bitterly disappointing setback for Raducanu, who has suffered many injuries during her young career.
Hopefully, she will return to the court as quickly as possible. Raducanu's tennis is superb to watch when it is flowing, and the 21-year-old has much time to return to the level that won the US Open three years ago.
Several other players have withdrawn from the China Open. Iga Swiatek withdrew for personal reasons, while Elena Rybakina will also be absent from Beijing, explaining that she is nursing a back injury.
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