Fans react to heartbreaking Emma Raducanu withdrawal as the 18-year-old star’s Wimbledon fairytale is over due to illness against Ajla Tomljanovic
- Raducanu was trailing Tomljanovic 6-4, 3-0 when she retired in the second set
- The British wildcard left the court at the change of ends and could not return
- She is youngest British woman to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon in the Open era
Fans reacted with widespread sympathy for Emma Raducanu after the gutsy Brit was forced to retire from her last-16 match at Wimbledon due to medical reasons.
Teenager Raducanu, 18, was ranked 338th in the world before the famous grass-court tournament but defeated the world numbers 150, 42 and 45 in straight sets on her way to the last 16 of the draw.
She was edged out in a competitive first set against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, but struggled in the second and was eventually left no option but to cut short her fairytale run at SW19.
British tennis star Emma Raducanu was forced to retire in her match against Ajla Tomljanovic
And supporters took to social media to praise her courage, determination and wished her well for the future.
Comedian Omid Djalili said: ‘Gutted for #raducanu not being able to continue. Absolutely amazing she came this far.
‘The way this girl smacks the ball around the court and just OWNED it no question she’ll be a huge name and back with a vengeance. Classy reaction from her opponent Tomljanović. #Wimbledon2021’
Dr Alex George added: ‘I didn’t realise John McEnroe was medically qualified or that he has X-ray vision! I hope Emma Raducanu is ok and wish her a speedy recovery. Did her country proud,’ followed by a United Kingdom flag emoji.
Another continued: ‘You made a nation proud. You made our people proud. History will come and the records will be broken. Just not today. Remember the name. Emma Raducanu.’
And yet another supporter posted: ‘I rarely have tears in my eyes for tennis, but now… courage @EmmaRaducanu… come back even stronger. We’re with you. #Wimbledon #Wimbledon2021’.