Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open game against Danka Kovinic paused due to medical timeout as Brit suffers with blisters
EMMA RADUCANU had to pause for a medical timeout in her Australian Open game against Danka Kovinic after suffering from blisters.
The rising British star was 3-2 up against her Montenegrin opponent when she suffered the injury to her right hand.
Raducanu, 19, was treated on the sidelines and looked to be in pain upon returning to the court.
She had led 3-0 after a rapid start but unfortunately lost her lead and fell to a 6-4 loss in the opening set.
Fans online sympathised with Raducanu following the agonising injury.
One said: "Blisters on one's hand seem quite a logical consequence of not being able to play for 10-14 days, but this looks very difficult & painful for Raducanu.
"Plus Kovinic has settled after a shaky start & is playing some lovely tennis."
Another said: "Really feel for Emma Raducanu. Started so well and then a blister on her hand really hampering her.
"No doubt due to her limited tennis over the past months."
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Raducanu was eventually knocked out of the Australian Open 6-4 4-6 6-3 after two-and-a-half-hours by world No.98 Danka Kovinic.
It was the first time the Kent star had been defeated over two sets at Slam level – the 2021 Wimbledon exit was due to an early retirement following breathing problems experienced on court.
The US Open champion will now pack her bags and regroup and focus on the Road to Wimbledon.