Emma Raducanu was struck down by another injury issue as she retired after seven games of her Nottingham Open first-round match against Viktorija Golubic, and cast doubt on her participation at Wimbledon.
Playing competitively in the UK for the first time since her shock US Open win last summer, Raducanu, 19, appeared to suffer a left rib problem after less than 10 minutes.
She received medical treatment but her movement was clearly hampered and she pulled out after 35 minutes of the match, trailing 4-3.
“I think I pulled something, I am not really sure what exactly happened,” Raducanu said after the match.
“I have just come off court, an absolute freak injury. I don’t know what I could have done more about it. That is it.
“I need to get a scan first. I am not going to ‘Google doctor’ myself. I will get it checked out. Then we will see from there.”
This latest setback will be of particular frustration with Wimbledon just a few weeks away.
“I have no idea (about Wimbledon),” she added. “It could have just seized up and gone into spasm and then it is really bad for a few days.
“I have no idea. I cannot diagnose myself. I will get it checked out.”
Raducanu had problems with blisters earlier this year and has also retired from matches with hip and back problems.
There was huge anticipation for Raducanu’s return to Nottingham, a year after playing her first-ever WTA Tour match at the same venue.
The British No. 1 dropped serve in the opening game, but hit back to win the next three games in a row. However, she called for the physio early in the match and then again after Golubic took a 4-3 lead.
After the physio worked on her side, Raducanu got to her feet and decided to call a halt to proceedings before walking off court.
Raducanu is next set to play the Rothesay Classic Birmingham, which starts on June 13, although this injury could alter her schedule.
Speaking after the match, Golubic, who faces another Brit in Heather Watson next, said: “I’m shocked a bit to be honest.
“I didn’t expect it to happen, I feel really sorry for Emma, I was looking forward to a really tough challenge. This court is so beautiful so I really wanted to stay on it. Hopefully she recovers.”
