Why are so many British players injured?

Breaking news from the world of sport: 'No substitutes in tennis' - why are so many Brits injured? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sonay Kartal has not played since 12 March, when she retired injured against Elena Rybakina at Indian WellsByRussell Fuller Tennis correspondent in RomePublished6 minutes agoFor Jack Draper it has been his right knee, Sonay Kartal her back and Jacob Fearnley his rib. Add in the viral infection that has kept Emma Raducanu off the tour for two months and counting, and you can see why Britain's top 100 resources have been stretched so thinly during this clay-court season.

It is not, of course, an exclusively British problem. Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his French Open title because of a wrist injury, while world number seven Taylor Fritz has been resting and rehabbing a long-term knee problem since March. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) internally audits the injuries suffered by British players and says there is no repeat pattern.

Match Details

But performance director Michael Bourne says a high load on an athlete is a "key driver" of injuries - and in tennis that is very hard to control. "Tennis players tend to play more matches than a lot of other sports," he explained. "I did some research looking at who played the most hours in football last year.

Federico Valverde from Real Madrid apparently played 101 hours, Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United 97. "If you compare that to tennis, Jannik Sinner allegedly played 182 hours and Carlos Alcaraz 176. "You don't get to substitute in a game of tennis - once you are on, you are on.

Because of the nature of the match you don't get to control whether you are out there for three hours or five. "Raducanu withdraws from Rome with post viral symptoms Published13 hours ago'A judgement call' - the dilemmas facing playersOf the six British singles players who began the year in the top 100, Cameron Norrie is the only one to have avoided injury or illness, and he has returned impressively to the world's top 20 in recent weeks. Raducanu, 23, had been due to return at the Italian Open in Rome this week but withdrew after her media commitments on Tuesday with post-viral symptoms.

Kartal is currently on track to reappear during the grass-court season, but the back injury the 24-year-old suffered during her run to the Indian Wells fourth round in March has cost her the entire clay swing. Francesca Jones had a month out after a glute injury at the Australian Open and Draper's comeback from his serious arm injury has been checked by a knee problem, while Fearnley came through qualifying in Rome after a seven-week absence. British number three Katie Boulter, who tumbled out of the top 100 last year as she battled foot and hip injuries, says it can be hard to step away even if players have information to suggest their bodies are at breaking point.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.