Emma Raducanu has pulled out of Wimbledon with an injury in the deciding set of her fourth-round match against qualifier Lulu Sun of New Zealand.
The 21-year-old British wildcard lost 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a dramatic match on Centre Court.
Raducanu had levelled the match and gained some confidence after a brilliant display from an inspired Sun.
Raducanu then slipped at the baseline in the first game of the third set.
The 2021 US Open champion remained lying on the grass and shook her head before getting back to her feet.
The game was stopped at 15-30 on Raducanu’s serve and she was laid on the court to receive treatment on her leg and back.
“I have had a stiff back since yesterday. I felt it during the match,” Raducanu said.
“I think it was affecting me a little bit, especially on the serve.”
When it became clear Raducanu would continue, there was a wave of excitement.
However, she lost her serve immediately and couldn’t get the break.
Despite holding her back midway through the game, she improved her momentum during the points but at 5-2 she was broken again and could not convert either of two break points before Sun held serve on her second match point.
It means the world number 135 misses out on reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time in her career, while there are no British players left in the singles draw at the All England Club.
“It was a tough match. I think Lulu played really good tennis,” Raducanu said.
“I gave my best, I fought very hard. Her tennis was better and she deserved to win.”
