"I'm not the only one with wrist issues" - Emma Raducanu laments proliferation of injuries among players, blames WTA Tour for lack of regulations
Emma Raducanu expressed concerns about the lack of regulations on the WTA tour, which she believes contributes to player injuries. The Brit will kick off her grass season against Ena Shibahara at the Nottingham Open.
Raducanu was sidelined due to a recurring injury on her right wrist which initially flared up in late 2022 and continued to trouble her into 2023. This required her to withdraw from several major tournaments, including the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon, as she prioritized rest and rehabilitation. After multiple surgeries on his wrist and ankle, the Brit made a comeback this year.
The 21-year-old has had a decent WTA season thus far. The Brit won nine of her sixteen matches, with her best finish being in the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart Open. The former US champion has yet to compete since losing to Maria Lourdes Carle in the first round of the Madrid Open. Furthermore, she withdrew from the French Open qualifiers, citing preparation for the grass season. Raducanu, now ranked 209 in the WTA rankings, hopes to win her first Major after the 2021 US Open.
Ahead of the grass season, Raducanu expressed concerns about the fragility of wrist injuries, highlighting the challenges faced by players on the current tennis tour. According to the 21-year-old, frequent changes in balls used each week exacerbate these issues.
Raducanu emphasized the importance of taking time to transition to grass courts due to heavy balls and slower conditions, particularly after her wrist surgeries, to prevent injury aggravation. She said (via Telegraph):
"It was important for me to take time to transition onto the grass because the balls over the grass season are heavy. I feel like the conditions are just getting slower and slower on the grass courts. Especially for myself having had wrist surgeries, I just needed to prioritise the transition."
The 21-year-old acknowledged that she is not the only player suffering from wrist issues, but her struggles have been more visible to the public. She occasionally has to forgo participating in certain events, as the conditions or the type of balls used might worsen her wrist injury.
“I’m not the only one with wrist issues. I’m probably just the one who’s had them most publicly. So, I think for me it’s definitely a factor where I have to miss certain events because either the conditions or the balls just don’t favour my situation."
The Brit also raised concerns about the lack of regulations during the WTA tour, due to which the players suffer ultimately.
“I think wrists are always very delicate and I think especially with how the tour is right now, and the fact we have to change balls every single week pretty much, and they don’t regulate the ball," Raducanu added
"I need to cherish it" - Emma Raducanu appreciates being physically fit after the injury hiatus
Emma Raducanu further reflected on her journey over the past year, noting how easy it is to forget her previous struggles. A year ago, she was uncertain about returning to tennis due to her injury. Now, being healthy, she emphasizes the importance of appreciating her current state and progress. As per the aforementioned source, she said,
"I think it’s very easy for me to lose sight of where I was exactly a year ago because it is pretty much a year ago to this day, to this month. You want more and more and more. But a year ago I was on a scooter, scooting around and I didn’t know [whether she would play again]… of course there was an element of doubt. So to be healthy, I need to cherish it."
The 21-year-old has received a wildcard entry for the ATP 250 event at Nottingham and will start her campaign on Tuesday, 11 June. The winner will later face second seed Marta Kostyuk or Daria Snigur in the second round.