'Could be a blessing in disguise': Emma Raducanu eyes rest before Wimbledon despite Eastbourne exit

Emma Raducanu continues to grapple with physical problems following her second-round defeat at the Eastbourne Open. The former US Open champion was on the verge of pulling off a spectacular comeback against Maya Joint, rallying from two breaks down at 2-5 to level at 5-5, and then recovering another break to force a tie-break, ultimately losing the match after 2 hours and 35 minutes of intense battle.

The world No. 38 was making her return after an injury forced her to withdraw from the Berlin Ladies Open last week, and she began this week by defeating Ann Li in three sets in her debut. This time, in the second round, she couldn't overcome 19-year-old Joint (6-4, 1-6, 6-7).

The Brit has now concluded her final preparatory tournament for Wimbledon and heads to the All England Club with a 3-2 record on the surface. She delivered a couple of good performances, but the injury still seems to be a lingering issue, especially after a long match. "I think I’ve just been managing it, like I’ve said,” commented Raducanu in her post-match press conference.

“I mean, normal fatigue, after playing a long match, but, yeah, hopefully I can recover. I still have a few days before Wimbledon, so, yeah, I’m looking forward to kind of recovering and hopefully it’s all good.

“I wouldn’t say it’s like I can’t move. I just say like a lot of athletes, we all carry kind of something that we’re managing and playing through,” she added. “But I’d just say that it’s okay, I can play, and I can still put out some pretty decent tennis in the situation.”

“I am going to rest tomorrow, just take it day by day, get some practice in. I think it could be a blessing in disguise, you know, having some rest right now,” the former world No. 10 commented. “I think I’m looking forward to heading back and then getting on the grass at Wimbledon. I think I will likely step on the court regardless.”