Emma Raducanu misses out on millions in Wimbledon withdrawal as rule enforced

Emma Raducanu will miss out on the chance to win millions in prize money after pulling out of Wimbledon. Raducanu withdrew from SW19 the night before Monday's opening match against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on Court 1.

The British No.1 confirmed on Sunday night she would not be competing due to a stress fracture. She had been managing a right lower leg injury since her run to the Queen’s final earlier in June. Fears were raised over her participation at the All England Club on Saturday when she cut short a training session, she and was also seen with strapping on her lower leg. A late scan revealed the injury had developed into a stress fracture and forced her to withdraw.

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The 23-year-old will still receive £40,000 because she withdrew before playing, which amounts to 50% of the first-round prize money on offer for each player. Players earn £80,000 for stepping onto the court and competing in the opening round, even if they lose.

A 50/50 rule states that, if a main draw singles player suffers an injury and withdraws on-site after the tournament draw has been made and before their first-round match begins, they receive 50% of the first-round prize money.

The player who replaces them, a so-called ‘lucky loser’, takes their spot and receives the other 50%. However, her injury and withdrawal ultimately cost her a shot at earning an additional £3,560,000 in maximum potential earnings at Wimbledon.

Raducanu, who incredibly won the US Open as a qualifier back in 2021, reached the third round of Wimbledon last year, before losing 7-6 6-4 to Aryna Sabalenka. She wrote in a social media post on Sunday evening: "I can't believe I'm saying this but sadly I've had to withdraw from this year's Wimbledon.

"I've done everything possible to try to get to the start line tomorrow but after a final scan tonight, the niggle I've been managing has developed into a stress fracture and I've been medically advised to stop pushing through."

She added: "Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process."

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