Emma Raducanu has faced another setback as she begins the new tennis season, forced to withdraw from the Auckland Open due to a back injury. The 22-year-old Briton, who was seeded sixth in the tournament, had been scheduled to play her first-round match against Robin Montgomery of the United States. However, Raducanu has been struggling with back pain in recent weeks, and despite her efforts to be ready for the competition, the injury did not improve sufficiently for her to compete.
Raducanu had initially considered playing at the Adelaide Open the following week, but she has now opted to travel to Melbourne, where she faces a race against time to be fully fit for the Australian Open, which begins on January 12. In a statement, she expressed her disappointment, saying, “I tried my best to be ready. I love Auckland and the fans here, but unfortunately picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time.”
This injury is just the latest in a series of setbacks for Raducanu, who has struggled with physical issues since her breakthrough win at the 2021 US Open. Over the past few years, she has faced multiple injuries that have hindered her ability to maintain consistent form. Despite these challenges, Raducanu has remained determined to rebuild her ranking and re-establish herself as one of the top players in the sport.
To help address these recurring injury problems, Raducanu recently hired renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura on a full-time basis. Nakamura, who is currently accompanying her in New Zealand, has been working with Raducanu to strengthen her body and improve her resilience against the physical demands of professional tennis. Raducanu’s commitment to improving her fitness comes after a difficult 2023 season, which saw her sidelined for nearly two months due to a foot injury. However, she did return to competition late in the year, impressively securing three wins at the Billie Jean King Cup, helping Great Britain narrowly miss out on a spot in the final.
Raducanu’s 2023 season was marked by a combination of challenges and progress. After undergoing surgeries on both wrists and her ankle, she spent eight months away from the tour. Upon her return, she made an impressive climb from outside the top 300 to inside the top 60, achieving multiple top-10 wins and making it to the fourth round of Wimbledon. Despite these successes, her physical setbacks have continued to impede her progress, making it difficult for her to maintain a consistent level of play.
As she prepares for the Australian Open, Raducanu will be hoping that her back injury heals in time for her to compete at a high level. The pressure is on as she looks to regain her fitness and continue her journey back to the top of the sport. With the support of her new fitness coach and her determination to overcome these obstacles, Raducanu will be hoping that 2024 can be the year she finally finds the consistency and success that has eluded her in recent seasons.
