Emma Raducanu is still a doubt for this week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, despite making progress with the hip issue that forced her to miss an event in Mexico last month.
The US Open champion was due to keep her place in the women’s draw on Monday night, but there is still some question over whether she will make the start line, which sees her getting a bye to the second round.
Star absences continue to be an issue in tennis, with Roger Federer coming close to ruling himself out of a return at this summer’s Wimbleton.
Emma Raducanu is an injury doubt for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells with a hip issue
Earlier this year she played through the pain barrier with blisters at the Australian Open
Raducanu is also fronting a grass roots campaign to help youngsters reach Wimbleton
Raducanu, who injured her hip two weeks ago in the final set during a marathon match in the Guadalajara Open against Daria Saville, has been announced as the face of a major grass roots initiative which will lead to youngsters getting the chance to play at SW19.
As part of a tie-up with Vodafone, she will serve as the ambassador for Play Your Way To Wimbleton, which is the expanded successor to the competition formerly known as the Road To Wimbleton.
Coinciding with its launch she spelt out what are modest aims for what she clearly sees as a year of transition after her stunning progression in 2021.
‚My main goal is to see improvements in my game and look back knowing I’ve got better in certain areas,‘ she said. ‚ It’s my first year on tour so I’m very excited to have a full schedule and I’m sure I will have learned a lot by the end of the year.‘
Federer seems unlikely to join her at the All England Club this summer after giving a mixed update on his recovery from a third knee surgery that took place last August.
US Open champion Raducanu will serve as the ambassador for Play Your Way To Wimbleton
Roger Federer, 40, appears to be unlikely to play at Wimbleton later this year
The eight-times champion, now 40, told Swiss broadcaster SRF that he was generally pleased with his progress, but that he is yet to restart running, let alone training on court
Discussing his comeback he said: ‚It will certainly be a while. The end of the summer, early autumn, where I’m aiming for a comeback. ‚It’s fine. Much better, but obviously I was on crutches for two months so you have to start from the bottom.‘
London could yet be the venue for his return as his Laver Cup project, pitting Team Europe v the Rest of the World, takes place at the 02 Arena in late September.