Emma Raducanu, the rising star of British tennis, has been forced to withdraw from both the French Open and Wimbledon due to a hand injury that required surgery. The 18-year-old became an overnight sensation last year when she reached the fourth round of the US Open as a qualifier, but her meteoric rise has been interrupted by this setback.

Raducanu was scheduled to play in the qualifying rounds of the French Open, which begins later this month, but announced her withdrawal on social media. In a statement, she said that she was “extremely disappointed” to miss the tournament, but that she had “no choice” but to focus on her recovery.

The exact nature of Raducanu’s injury has not been disclosed, but reports suggest that it is related to a problem with her right hand. She had reportedly been struggling with the issue for some time before deciding to undergo surgery.

The news comes as a blow to Raducanu, who had been tipped as a potential dark horse for the French Open. She had been in excellent form this year, winning her first WTA title in San Jose and reaching the second round of the Australian Open. Her performances had led to calls for her to be given a wildcard into Wimbledon, but those hopes have now been dashed.

Raducanu’s withdrawal from the tournament also means that she will miss out on the chance to play on grass, her favourite surface. She had previously spoken of her love for Wimbledon, and had said that it was her dream to play there.

The injury is a reminder of the physical toll that tennis can take on its players, particularly those who are still in the early stages of their careers. Raducanu has played just 18 professional matches so far, and her body may not yet be accustomed to the rigours of the tour.

However, the teenager has shown great resilience in the face of adversity in the past. Last year’s US Open was her first professional tournament, and she was faced with a number of challenges along the way, including the pressure of playing on one of the sport’s biggest stages and dealing with the restrictions of a biosecure bubble.

Despite the setback, Raducanu will no doubt be determined to return to the court as soon as possible. Her rapid rise has already marked her out as a player to watch, and there is no doubt that she has the potential to achieve great things in the sport.

As the tennis world waits to see when Raducanu will return to action, fans will be hoping that she makes a full recovery and that she is able to resume her promising career soon.