Serve On SI

Emma Raducanu "Badly Bitten" By Bugs Before Australian Open

Emma Raducanu has a swollen ankle and hand after suffering bug bites in Melbourne, Australia.
Pat Benson|
Emma Raducanu's hand and ankle swelled after bugs bit her in Melbourne, Australia.
Emma Raducanu's hand and ankle swelled after bugs bit her in Melbourne, Australia. | IMAGO / Cover-Images

Since winning her first and only Grand Slam at the 2021 US Open, injuries have plagued Emma Raducanu. Over the past few years, the promising player has battled back from many injuries ranging from small to potentially catastrophic.

After playing almost a full season in 2024 and hiring a renowned physical trainer, the expectations are high for Raducanu in 2025. However, she pulled out of the ASB Classic earlier this month due to a "back niggle" and has now sustained a fluky injury just before the start of the Australian Open.

Speaking at her pre-tournament press conference in Melbourne, Raducanu revealed that she had been bitten by bugs but declined the antiseptic spray she was ­offered because she feared ­taking a banned substance.

The World No.60 explained the story, "I got really badly bitten by I don't know what, like ants, mosquitoes, something. I'm allergic, I guess. They flared up and swelled up really a lot."

Raducanu concluded, "Someone was giving me this antiseptic spray, ­natural, to try to ease the bites. I didn't want to take it. I didn't want to spray it. I was just left there with my swollen ankle and hand. I was like, 'I'm just going to tough it out because I don't want to risk it.'"

The question was about Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek's doping scandals, but as always, Raducanu can be surprisingly candid when speaking with the press.

Despite the insect bites, Raducanu is ready to go for the first Grand Slam of the new season. She faces World No. 27 Ekaterina Alexandrova on Sunday, January 12. Raducanu has not yet played a match this season.

The Australian Open starts on Sunday, January 12. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

More Tennis News

Published | Modified
Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers professional tennis for Serve on Sports Illustrated, reporting on ATP and WTA events worldwide. From Challenger tournaments to Grand Slams, he brings readers in-depth coverage, daily recaps, and exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. With a decade of experience in sports journalism, Pat is recognized as a trusted voice in tennis media. You can contact him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

Share on XFollow Pat_Benson_Jr
Home/News