Emma Raducanu suffers another blow just days after Hong Kong Open withdrawal

Emma Raducanu suffers another blow just days after Hong Kong Open withdrawal

WATCH NOW: Emma Raducanu and Judy Murray row discussed

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 24/10/2024

- 09:41

The 21-year-old has struggled for fitness ever since her remarkable US Open win back in 2021

Emma Raducanu has suffered another blow just days after withdrawing from the Hong Kong Tennis Open, with the 21-year-old's marketability reportedly declining.

The Briton had been hoping to return to action this month, having been sidelined with a foot issue ever since September.


But Raducanu revealed on social media this week that she wouldn't be competing in Hong Kong and that she needs more time to recover.

"Hellooo, I’m sorry to say that I will not be able to play in Hong Kong next week," she wrote on social media.

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu has suffered another blow just days after withdrawing from the Hong Kong Tennis Open, with the 21-year-old's marketability reportedly declining

GETTY

"Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit.

"I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future! In the meantime, I am doing what I can to be ready for BJKC [the Billie Jean King Cup]."

However, Raducanu's marketability has taken a dip amid her ongoing problems.

Raducanu has suffered a huge decline in Sports Pro's 50 Most Marketable Athletes list, with Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic leading the way when it comes to tennis players.

JUST IN:Liverpool's win over RB Leipzig highlights key issue with Gary Lineker proposal to fix VAR once and for all

Gauff and Djokovic are ranked in 13th and 18th, with each athlete given a rating out of 100.

Simon Biles sits at the summit with an impressive score of 96.16, while Vinicius Jr, LeBron James, Caitlin Clark and Lionel Messi made up the rest of the top five.

The scores are determined by three components, including Brand Strength and Total Addressable Market - with both of those making up 35 points each.

Economics make up the rest of the marks, with 30 available when it comes to that specific area.

READ MORE:Lewis Hamilton replaced by Mercedes after struggling at US Grand Prix

Raducanu was the 21st most-marketable star this time last year.

Yet she's now sitting down in 131st with a score of 23.13, which represents a significant decline.

Raducanu recently had her Porsche taken back after struggling for consistency over the past 12 months.

She remains an ambassador for the cars brand, who insist they're happy with their partnership, though there are whispers some of her other sponsorship deals are at risk.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Emma Raducanu US Open

Emma Raducanu has struggled with injuries ever since her remarkable US Open win in 2021

PA

Meanwhile, Laura Robson has opened up on Raducanu to Sky Sports.

And she's hailed the tennis star for climbing to 57th in the world, having been ranked No 285 at the start of the year.

"When you think about the months that she's missed, to climb to the ranking she is now, it's actually impressive. In that respect, she's done really well," she said.

"I think everyone, including her, would like to see it happen more often.

Laura Robson

Emma Raducanu has been hailed by Laura Robson despite her struggles this year

PA

"It's all about figuring out what works for you and maybe she just got unlucky over the last few weeks because that would have been a run of four or five events in a row, which would have been great, but then you pick up one little injury or niggle and you have got to start again all the time.

"When you have the opportunity to play, she's now realised that that's the way forward and if you can play back-to-back weeks then go for it."

You may like