Emma Raducanu steps out on crutches after withdrawing from Wimbledon as she's supported by new boyfriend John Friend

was consoled by her boyfriend John Friend with dinner in Chelsea on Monday, after having to withdraw from competing in the Wimbledon championships. 

The tennis player, 23, was seen hobbling on crutches due to a stress fracture in her leg. 

Despite the setback, Emma laughed and smiled as she headed out for a low-key date with John. 

The athlete cut a casual but stylish figure in a safari print shirt and white linen trousers and opted for comfort on her feet with white trainers.  

The couple's romance first came to light when they were pictured holding hands and kissing in Battersea Park last month. 

As one well-placed tennis insider tells the Daily Mail: 'Emma's happier than I've seen her for years. It's like she knows where she's going and understands herself. She's got her confidence and joie de vivre back.' 

Born in Westminster in April 1994 as the middle of three brothers, Emma's new partner grew up in London, where he attended multiple fee-paying schools including Harrow School.

Emma broke up with her last boyfriend, billionaire Carlo Agostinelli in 2024, who also attended the £63,000-a-year school.

She has since revealed her parents were 'very much against' her having boyfriends as they 'interfered with training'.

John, nine years her senior, is listed as the director of JSGF, a public relations firm named after his initials.

He is also a trustee of charity Team Antoinette, which seeks to fundraise to find a revolutionary cure for the illness.

The date night comes after Emma stepped down from  on the eve of the tournament after a scan revealed the stress fracture.

The British No 1 had been managing an issue in her lower leg for several weeks but practiced at the All England Club on Sunday. She had been planning to give her first round match against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic a go.

But just after 10pm on Sunday, Emma wrote on Instagram: 'I can't believe I'm saying this, but sadly I've had to withdraw from this year's Wimbledon.

'I've done everything possible to try to get to the start line tomorrow but after a final scan tonight, the niggle I've been managing has developed into a stress fracture and I've been medically advised to stop pushing through.

'Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process.

'I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement. Especially at a time like this, it is invaluable. I look forward to seeing you when I'm back.'

It is a horrendous end to a grass court season which had started so well for Raducanu. The 23-year-old reached the third final of her career in the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in west London, losing in the final to Donna Vekic.

The danger signals were there in that 6-0, 7-6 defeat, however, as Raducanu was clearly not moving freely. The next day she withdrew from the Nottingham Open, then the week after that declined the opportunity to play in Eastbourne.