Raducanu’s 2026 season has once again been disrupted by a series of setbacks, continuing a troubling pattern of injuries and illness that has interrupted her progress since her breakthrough Grand Slam triumph.
A season repeatedly derailed by injuries and illness
The year began in Australia with a right foot injury, setting an early tone for a stop-start campaign. Shortly afterwards, she contracted a virus while competing in Cluj-Napoca in February, an illness that lingered for months and forced her out of competition for an extended period.
More recently, her struggles have continued on grass. At Queen’s, she suffered a left thigh injury, and later at Wimbledon she was seen wearing an orthopaedic boot on her right foot, raising fresh concerns about her fitness ahead of major competition.
Just days before Wimbledon, her preparation was again disrupted when she ended a practice session early after only around 10 minutes on court, with her ankle heavily strapped. She also postponed her scheduled pre-tournament press conference, adding to uncertainty over whether she would be fit to compete.
Konta: Pressure and perception can amplify physical pain
Offering perspective on Raducanu’s situation, Konta argued that the psychological burden of expectation can intensify the way athletes experience physical discomfort, particularly during periods of poor form or instability.
“My opinion on Emma... it's her building, her continuing to build up her tolerance to adversity,” she said in comments to Reuters.
“Not in the sense that she can't handle tough times but I think when it comes to, on a day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month basis, when things aren't going well, you feel pain much more, it's much easier to feel injured.”
Konta added that such sensations are not necessarily a sign of avoidance or lack of commitment, but rather a common reality in elite sport where confidence and physical perception are closely connected.
“And it's not because you are necessarily looking for an excuse or you are necessarily looking for an easy, quote unquote, an easy way out. When you are on a match court, and things aren't going well, if you have a niggle, an injury that you're going into that match with, you will definitely feel it a lot more than if things are going well,” she said.
She concluded that Raducanu’s key challenge is accepting the difficult phases of her career and building resilience through them.
“So I think for her, I've been really keen to see her really make peace with the difficulty of it.”
Wimbledon uncertainty hangs over Raducanu
With Wimbledon approaching and fitness concerns unresolved, Raducanu’s participation remains uncertain. Her recent curtailed training session and ongoing injury management have raised doubts about whether she will be ready to compete at all.
In a draw that placed her against Antonia Ruzic in the opening round, the situation leaves British fans awaiting clarity, with the possibility of a late withdrawal still looming depending on her recovery.