Emma Raducanu has 'no idea' if she will play Wimbledon after suffering 'freak injury'

• Emma Raducanu retires hurt during match with Viktorija Golubic in first round of Nottingham Open

• Raducanu has medical time-out after three games with apparent side strain

• British No 1 tries to continue but stops four games later putting Wimbledon participation in doubt

Emma Raducanu admitted she had “no idea” if she would be fit for Wimbledon after her injury curse struck again less than three weeks before the Championships.

In her first outing on home turf since her US Open triumph, Raducanu suffered an “absolute freak” side strain in the opening game of her Rothesay Open Nottingham match against Viktorija Golubic and was forced to retire barely half an hour later.

Following a medical timeout and further intensive treatment, she finally succumbed to the pain a break down at 4-3 in the first set, raising major fears for her fitness for Wimbledon.

“I’ve got no idea,” she replied when asked if she would be ready in time for the Championships, adding she expected to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

“First game, absolute freak. I think I pulled something. I’m not really sure what exactly happened.”

It was clear something was not right when she was immediately broken but she battled back and went into the changeover 2-1 ahead, despite having asked for the trainer.

A couple of painkillers and several minutes of intense manipulation later and she was back on court to cries of “Go on Emma!” from a supportive Centre Court that nevertheless had plenty of empty seats.

She even broke her Swiss opponent to go 3-1 up but her injury was clearly affecting her ability to serve and she lost three games in a row in quick succession, two on serve, before deciding enough was enough.

Raducanu said: “I was thinking, first game even, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to do this’. But if you do something in the first game, people are going to be like, ‘Well, why did you walk out onto the court?’, you know?

“So, I definitely tried to get through it. But, in the second game, I called the physio on and, the first changeover, she was trying to do some work. But, from there, even she was like, ‘This is going to be really difficult for you to continue’.

“I clearly couldn’t serve and, because of where the location is, I kind of need it for everything, to turn, to move, to serve, to even breathe in and out. So, I just couldn’t really do anything.”

Raducanu’s retirement was the US Open champion’s third already this year, with a month having not gone by without her suffering one injury or another.

They have included hip and back problems, the latter flaring up during last month’s Italian Open, but she ruled out any connection between that and her latest setback.

“I’m obviously disappointed and it’s really bad luck, sometimes, because I feel like I’ve been putting really good work in and it’s almost like you just want to catch a break or something,” she added. “But I haven’t really, and that’s out of my control.

“I feel like, right now, all I can focus on is what I’m doing and I think that I’m putting in a lot of good work and I just need to trust that it’ll come and, right now, it’s happening for a reason, and I’m exactly where I kind of need to be.”

Golubic was first to console her opponent as she trudged disconsolately off court.

“I’m a little bit shocked. I am still in my match focus and bubble,” said the Swiss. “I didn’t expect this to happen. I feel sorry for Emma. I was looking forward to a tough challenge.

“This Centre Court is really beautiful. I wanted to stay on it. It is unfortunate it has ended like this. It is a sad way to finish and I hope she recovers.”

Golubic could yet receive a bye to the quarter-finals after Heather Watson, her next opponent, suffered a hamstring injury in her opening win on Monday.

Raducanu retires injured from Nottingham Open, as it happened:

01:58 PM

Raducanu's run of injuries continues

Read Ben Rumsby's above report from Nottingham for a full recap or scroll down to see how the injury drama unfolded in real time.

01:47 PM

Golubic speaks post match

01:40 PM

So, will Raducanu be ready for Wimbledon?

Wimbledon starts on June 27 and right now it looks touch-and-go. Fingers crossed it is not as serious as it looks and Raducanu retiring was precautionary.

01:35 PM

Viktorija Golubic is into the second round

01:33 PM

It is unclear exactly what the injury is

It looks like Raducanu has hurt her side. It could be her abdominals, her back or even her ribs judging from where she was getting treatment.

A side injury could be really problematic going forward, especially for her serve and her back hand.

01:31 PM

Raducanu exits the court

01:24 PM

Raducanu pointing to her injury while being examined

01:22 PM

Raducanu retires!

That is that! She clearly could not go on. Raducanu's mounting injuries are becoming a real worry.

01:20 PM

Yet more treatment for Raducanu

Surely she is going to have to stop? Her side is causing all sorts of bother. Raducanu's serve has lost all its venom.

01:19 PM

*Raducanu 3-4 Golubic (*denotes server)

Raducanu's serve has lost all its pace. The side injury is clearly causing issues. She loses the first point but responds well with a forehand. 15-15.

Golubic moves to a two-point lead with a thumping forehand down the line. The crowd is trying to help Raducanu but Golubic breaks after a deft drop shot.

01:16 PM

Raducanu 3-3 Golubic* (*denotes server)

The pair exchange points before Raducanu loses a long rally due a vicious backhand from her opponent. 30-15. An ace follows.

Another follows. Scores even.

01:14 PM

More medical treatment for Raducanu

Is it worth her carrying on? She has a big summer ahead. More treatment continues on the court.

Raducanu will play on.

01:13 PM

Raducanu* 3-2 Golubic (*denotes server)

Golubic responds in style, winning the first three points of Raducanu's serve before a strong forehand takes the score to 15-40. Golubic breaks!

01:09 PM

Raducanu 3-1 Golubic* (*denotes server)

Raducanu is in apparent discomfort. But she will continue... Raducanu wins the first point of the game with a powerful backhand. 0-15.

Raducanu is playing well despite the injury, extending her lead to 15-40 with some strong ground strokes. And she breaks!

01:04 PM

Medical time-out continues

Raducanu pops a couple of pills of, presumably, painkillers. She then lies down on the ground as the medical attention continues. It could be her abdominals rather than her back or side.

It is not looking good.

01:01 PM

Raducanu is getting medical attention

The trainer is out to have a look at Raducanu... she looks deeply frustrated. It looks like the trainer is having a look at her side. It could be her ribs or more likely her back.

01:00 PM

Raducanu* 2-1 Golubic (*denotes server)

Raducanu looks a little stiff, stretching her back periodically. She starts this game well, winning the first two points with ease. Golubic fights back. 30-15.

A long rally ends in Raducanu's favour after Golubic's forehand is wide of the target once more. A strong serve seals the hold.

12:57 PM

Raducanu 1-1 Golubic* (*denotes server)

Golubic starts with a double fault. A rally follows from the second point but the Swiss player sends a forehand far too long. 0-30.

Raducanu rushes to the net but Golubic lofts it over her head to get back into the game. 15-30. Raducanu takes the next point, can she break straight back? Not yet... she shanks a backhand. 30-40.

Golubic nails a one-handed backhand down the line to take it to deuce. A point apiece, back to deuce.

Raducanu moves to advantage after ending a long rally with a lovely forehand down the line. That's more like it. Raducanu then tries to capitalise on a second serve but her backhand is long. Deuce.

Golubic finds the net with a backhand. Break point number four for Raducanu. There is the break! Golubic pulls a forehand well wide.

12:50 PM

Raducanu* 0-1 Golubic (*denotes server)

Raducanu makes a strong start with an ace. Golubic responds well, winning the next point. 15-15.

A double fault hands Golubic the lead before Raducanu draws the scores back level. She is struggling with her serve so far, hitting the net with her first and then losing a long rally after her second. 30-40.

Another long rally ends with Golubic executing a delicate drop shot to break Raducanu!

12:45 PM

Here we go!

Raducanu will serve first.

12:41 PM

Raducanu is second seed for the Nottingham Open

She is expected to win today.

12:38 PM

Here comes Raducanu

Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland enters the arena first, followed by home crowd hero Emma Raducanu, who gets a very warm welcome.

12:24 PM

Top-seed Sakkari has won in straight-sets

6-2, 6-3 to the Greek. Raducanu will be out on court to warm-up shortly.

12:13 PM

Sakakri leads the second set 4-2

So here is what Raducanu had to say ahead of today's match:

11:59 AM

Elsewhere in tennis...

While we wait for Raducanu, elsewhere in tennis Great Britain get Billie Jean King Cup reprieve... as event hosts

The LTA's successful bid to host the tournament means GB have been awarded an automatic place in November's finals

Read the full story here

11:51 AM

Raducanu is next on centre court...

Sakkari took the first set against Osorio 6-2. The second has just got under way.

10:17 AM

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the Nottingham Open

Britain's Emma Raducanu said she will not rush into a decision over appointing a permanent coach as she begins preparations for the grasscourt season ahead of Wimbledon, which commences later this month.

The 19-year-old has been without a full-time coach after splitting with German coach Torben Beltz in April.

"I want to take my time with this decision," Raducanu told reporters on Monday. "Nothing has changed. I still have the same people, good people, around me. I don't want to rush into anything.

"Personally, I think I know what I'm doing. I'm trusting what I'm doing and the work I'm doing. I'm still 19 and I've already won a Grand Slam so I can take my time and put things in place because I know my motivation isn't any less."

Raducanu shot to stardom last September when, as a qualifier, she stormed to the U.S. Open title, becoming Britain's first female Grand Slam champion since Virginia Wade in 1977.

She has struggled since winning her maiden Grand Slam, but the Briton said she was "not being so hard" on herself despite the sky-high expectations that accompanied her early success.

"I'm really enjoying my time right now and also just really believing in the work I'm doing," Raducanu said.

"I don't think anyone would say, 'I wish I didn't win a Grand Slam at 18' because that is what I set out to do when I started playing tennis - and I did that.

"For that to happen very soon definitely comes with a lot of challenges but managing, learning and growing through the adversities that I have faced - I would much rather have that, learn from those experiences and keep building and progressing."

Raducanu, who was eliminated in the second round of the French Open, will face Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic in the Nottingham Open today.

Reuters