Emma Raducanu sparks injury fears after shaking head in nasty fall and calling physio

Emma Raducanu sparked major injury fears when she slipped on the court and shook her head in response to the pain.

The Brit was serving in the first game of the final set after forcing a decider when she took a nasty fall and immediately looked concerned.

The physio was called and Raducanu received a three-minute medical time out before resuming the match.

Raducanu's fall was concerning as it was on the same side that she injured her ankle in a similar incident at the Auckland Classic at the beginning of 2023. On that occasion, she retired in tears and was in a boot for several days. She played for a few months but underwent ankle and wrist surgeries last Spring.

And it was clear that the former US Open champion thought the problem could be something more sinister when she grabbed her leg in pain and started shaking her head as the umpire approached, staying down for a short while. The physio was called to the court and there was a lengthy consultation before the time out could get underway.

BBC commentator Andrew Cotter brought up Raducanu's previous injury as she spoke with the trainer. "Because of what she’s gone through, it was in Auckland last year wasn’t it that she rolled that ankle. Adding to any physical discomfort there will be a little bit of mental shock for Emma Raducanu because it’s happened before but she’s clutching her knee as much as anything else. Don’t want to speculate wildly, let them get on with the job," he said.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Barty replied: "I dare say there will be a conversation about whether strapping the ankle, particularly the one that she has had surgery on, for a comfort level, precaution. She would’ve spent time with the trainers in the room to make sure her body is ready and they’d be aware on the things that she likes and doesn’t like so there will certainly be a moment here to check her out and make sure that she’s fine to carry on."

As the physio worked on Raducanu's knee during the assessment, the Australian continued: "The way she slipped, it almost looked like a bit of a hyperextension. Still assessing here to see what they might do. Often it’s that shock, you might slip over or fall over and you sit up and you think, what have I done? What’s happened here?"