EMMA RADUCANU is set to play Wimbledon with only half a set of grass-court tennis under her belt.
Unless she changes her mind and requests a last-minute wildcard on Friday the British No.1 is not planning to play next week’s Eastbourne International as a fitness precaution.
Last week the Kent ace, 19, withdrew from the Nottingham Open first round after just seven games of the first set following a side injury.
SunSport understands the reigning US Open champion does not want to rush straight into competitive action with Wimbledon starting on Monday June 27.
It is expected she will continue to rest and recover and then build-up her practice sessions before heading to SW19 – where she reached the fourth round in 2021.
Like Andy Murray who has an abdominal issue, there is the possibility she could play an exhibition at the Hurlingham Club, which is managed by her agents IMG.
Read More Tennis stories
The Eastbourne wildcard deadline is 4pm on Friday and her absence would be a huge blow, leaving her undercooked and lacking match time when she arrives at the Championships.
Bungling LTA staff wrote on their website that Raducanu was playing the south coast event – but then took the story down after being told of their mistake.
Meanwhile, Simona Halep will try to ruin the dreams of another Brit on grass when she faces Leicester’s Katie Boulter in the Birmingham Classic quarter-finals.
The Romanian, the 2019 Wimbledon winner, knocked out Londoner Harriet Dart in straight sets in the Last 16 and is on a nine-match winning streak on grass.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Halep, 30, said: “I want to have that feeling that I had in 2019. I am starting to connect with the court and feeling better and better.
“I know Katie is serving strong, so it will be tough to return, but every match is difficult on grass, you never know what to expect.
“I will be ready. I am here to play my best and to fight to win.”
