Wimbledon 2026: Emma Raducanu cuts short her practice at the All England Club

Less than half an hour after departing the court, it was announced Raducanu’s news conference – which had been scheduled for about 16:00 on Saturday – had been cancelled.

Wimbledon organisers said her media duties are to be rearranged for Sunday.

Even if Raducanu is fit enough to play Ruzic, her disrupted preparation does not bode well for the rigours of a Grand Slam tournament.

She has been blighted by a series of injury problems since her fairytale US Open victory in New York five years ago, while a viral illness meant she only played six matches from early February to the start of Queen’s earlier this month.

Reaching the final in London – which she lost in straight sets to Croatia’s Donna Vekic – was a huge step in the right direction.

Raducanu demonstrated the aggressive brand of tennis which she is hoping to rediscover after reuniting with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to the US Open triumph before they parted ways immediately afterwards.

But playing five matches in six days – the most she had played since February – has taken its toll.