Emma Raducanu’s Nottingham Open opponent Viktorija Golubic admitted she was left “shocked” after the Brit retired just 33 minutes and seven games into their first-round match. The 19-year-old received treatment for what appeared to be an issue on her left side multiple times before retiring 3-4 down to the Swiss player.
Raducanu was leading 2-1 when she took a medical time out at the first change-of-ends and proceeded to receive treatment in the allotted changeover time twice more before retiring a break down to Golubic after just 33 minutes. And the world No 55 admitted she was “shocked” the match had ended so early as she sent a classy message to the second seed following her retirement.
“I’m kind of shocked a little bit. I’m still in my match focus bubble,” the 29-year-old said in an early on-court interview. “I didn’t expect this to happen. I feel very sorry for Emma, I was looking forward to a really tough challenge. This centre court is so beautiful, I really wanted to stay on it. Unfortunately it had to end like that.”
But Golubic was looking forward to playing another match in Nottingham as she shared her love for the British grass court events.
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“Obviously they need to support the British players but I feel like the crowd has always been very respectful. It’s very nice to have the fans here and to play.”
While Golubic advances to face Heather Watson in the second round, Raducanu will now be in doubt for next week’s Rothesay Classic in Birmingham and – more importantly – Wimbledon in less than three weeks’ time.
Raducanu shot on to the scene at her home Grand Slam a year ago and retired mid-match in the fourth round on medical grounds. She will hope for a happier ending at this year’s Major, provided she’s fit enough to play.
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