Former British number one Emma Raducanu has announced her withdrawal from the China Open in Beijing due to the foot injury she suffered at the Korea Open.
The 21-year-old retired from her quarter-final with Daria Kasatkina in Seoul after losing the first set 6-1 to the Russian, having been hampered by the problem throughout the short-lived battle.
Raducanu had previously required treatment on her foot in her second-round success over China's Yue Yuan, and she was clearly uncomfortable on serve against Kasatkina, despite having an extra day to recover as heavy rain pushed the quarter-finals back.
Raducanu's latest blow threw her participation at the WTA 1000 into serious doubt, and in an injury update shared on X - formerly known as Twitter - the former US Open champion confirmed that she had sprained ligaments and would not compete in Beijing.
"Hello, last week in Seoul i sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal😔. It means i can't play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as i can 🤞❤️🩹," Raducanu wrote.
The Briton was due to face a qualifier or lucky loser in her first-round battle, but she will now be replaced by another lucky loser or player who successfully made it through the preliminary rounds.
When could Raducanu return after foot injury?
Hello, last week in Seoul i sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal😔. It means i can't play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as i can 🤞❤️🩹
— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) September 23, 2024
Raducanu fans may not have to wait long before witnessing the 21-year-old in action again, as she is scheduled to compete at the upcoming Wuhan Open, which begins on October 7.
However, even though the Asian swing is one of the Briton's favourite parts of the tour, she will certainly not take any risks over her fitness as she looks ahead to the 2025 season.
The 2024 campaign has already been one of significant post-injury progress for Raducanu, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and the semi-finals of the Rothesay Open in Nottingham, while also marching to a statement win over US Open finalist Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne.
The 21-year-old boasts a 20-13 win-loss record for the year and is on the cusp of breaking back into the world's top 50, now sitting 54th in the WTA Tour standings after her run to the Korea Open quarters.
Raducanu is one of several high-profile players to withdraw from the China Open, as Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur and former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova have also pulled out.
Great Britain are still represented in the women's competition by Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart, the latter of whom takes on Denmark's Clara Tauson in the first round on Wednesday after replacing Linda Noskova.
Ben Knapton
