Emma Raducanu has announced that she has withdrawn from Wimbledon after suffering a stress fracture in her lower right leg.
The former US Open champion had hoped to declare herself fit for the sport's latest Grand Slam, but despite her wishes, she has been advised not to participate on medical grounds.
Raducanu's participation had been in jeopardy for the past few days, with the 23-year-old opting not to undertake her pre-tournament press conference on Saturday to give herself the best opportunity possible of being able to face Croatia's Antonia Ruzic on Monday.
However, shortly after 22:00 (BST) on Sunday, Raducanu confirmed that she had made the decision to pull out of SW19 for a second time in three years.
"I've done everything possible to try to get to the start line but after a final scan tonight the niggle I've been managing has developed into a stress fracture," Raducanu said.
I've been medically advised to stop pushing through. "Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process.
- Emma Raducanu
Fears regarding Raducanu's involvement in this year's event grew over the course of last week after being spotted donning a protective boot on her right foot on Wednesday.
She was subsequently unable to practise on Thursday and Friday, and whilst she was able to take to the courts on Saturday, it's understood she was unable to complete a scheduled one set warm-up clash with Russia's Anna Kalinskaya.
However, she looked in far better spirits on Sunday morning when hitting with prractise partner Alexis Canter, and soon after claimed she was willing to take a risk with the injury in order to step out at the All England Club.
But, despite her wishes, and best attempts, Raducanu will now be forced to miss out on another Wimbledon campaign 12 months on from her straight sets loss to world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.
