Emma Raducanu injury: Doctor predicts Brit's Wimbledon fate

Emma Raducanu was forced to withdraw from the Nottingham Open earlier this week after suffering what she has described as “an absolute freak” of an injury.

The British number one felt pain in her abdomen during her first round match against Viktorija Golubic and called for medical attention after just five minutes of play.

A leading doctor has given his verdict on Raducanu’s injury and believes it is “unlikely” the star will be fit in time to play at Wimbledon.

Dr Rogers, who is a former Chelsea Football Club first team doctor and a consultant in regenerative orthopaedics and sports medicine, suspected the problem is an ‘acute abdominal strain.’

“The only thing I can think about, having not seen it, is that it’s some sort of abdominal strain, an acute strain. Because that is how these things happen,” he told The Telegraph.

Raducanu said she felt like she had “pulled something” during the match and medics were seen assessing the area of discomfort.

This time last year, the 19-year-old made her WTA Tour debut at the Nottingham Open and went on to turn a lot of heads at Wimbledon.

However, her grass court season was cut short after she was forced to retire due to breathing difficulties in the fourth round.

Raducanu’s potential at the All England Club remains to be fully unlocked but there is a chance she won’t be able to show what she is capable of for another year.

Dr Rogers offered his verdict on whether the world number 11 will be able to compete at Wimbledon later this month.

“Unlikely if it is that type of injury,” he said. “If it’s this kind of strain, it most likely would not allow her to play, or would not allow her to play effectively.”

Since winning the US Open last September, Raducanu has struggled to recreate