Emma Raducanu was forced to withdraw from the Nottingham Open earlier this week after suffering what she has described as "an absolute freak" of an injury.

The British number one felt pain in her abdomen during her first round match against Viktorija Golubic and called for medical attention after just five minutes of play.

A leading doctor has given his verdict on Raducanu's injury and believes it is "unlikely" the star will be fit in time to play at Wimbledon.

Dr Rogers, who is a former Chelsea Football Club first team doctor and a consultant in regenerative orthopaedics and sports medicine, suspected the problem is an 'acute abdominal strain.'

"The only thing I can think about, having not seen it, is that it’s some sort of abdominal strain, an acute strain. Because that is how these things happen," he told The Telegraph.

Raducanu said she felt like she had "pulled something" during the match and medics were seen assessing the area of discomfort.

Wimbledon uncertainty

This time last year, the 19-year-old made her WTA Tour debut at the Nottingham Open and went on to turn a lot of heads at Wimbledon.

However, her grass court season was cut short after she was forced to retire due to breathing difficulties in the fourth round.

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts in her Ladies' Singles Fourth Round match against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia during Day Seven of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 05, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Raducanu's potential at the All England Club remains to be fully unlocked but there is a chance she won't be able to show what she is capable of for another year.

Dr Rogers offered his verdict on whether the world number 11 will be able to compete at Wimbledon later this month.

"Unlikely if it is that type of injury," he said. "If it’s this kind of strain, it most likely would not allow her to play, or would not allow her to play effectively."

Injury woes continue

Since winning the US Open last September, Raducanu has struggled to recreate the remarkable form she displayed in New York.

The teenager has not made it past the quarter-finals in any of the tournaments she has featured in since Flushing Meadows and her most recent results have been a collection of first and second round defeats.

Raducanu has also been hampered with a series of injuries, including a blistered hand, which cut her Australian Open debut short. She also struggled to adapt to her first season on clay and suffered injury to her feet, which resulted in her toenails falling off.

The British number one was scheduled to feature at the Birmingham Classic next week for further preparation for Wimbledon. However, this latest injury could spell a very early end to Raducanu's grass court season and force her to wait until the autumn, where she will attempt to defend her US Open title.