Emma Raducanu has encountered another injury setback as the new tennis season begins, this time a back issue that forced her to withdraw from the Auckland Open. Raducanu, who was seeded sixth in the tournament, had been scheduled to play her first-round match against Robin Montgomery of the United States. However, despite her efforts to recover, she has been dealing with persistent back pain over the past few weeks, which ultimately prevented her from competing in Auckland.
Raducanu had been optimistic about starting her season in New Zealand, but her back injury did not improve sufficiently during her preparation, leading to her decision to pull out. She expressed disappointment over missing the event, acknowledging her love for Auckland and its fans but confirming that she would not be ready to compete. This latest injury comes on the heels of a challenging period for Raducanu, who has struggled with various physical setbacks in recent years.
Looking ahead, Raducanu had considered playing in the Adelaide Open, which takes place next week, but she will instead travel to Melbourne in an effort to regain full fitness before the Australian Open, which starts on January 12. With only a short time to recover, she faces a race against time to ensure she is ready for one of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
Raducanu’s injury woes are a continuation of a pattern that has hindered her progress on the WTA Tour. Over the past year, she has faced multiple challenges in her attempts to rebuild her ranking and establish herself as a consistent contender. After undergoing surgeries on both wrists and her ankle, Raducanu made a successful return to competition last year, rising from outside the top 300 to the top 60. She also achieved several notable victories, including wins over top-10 players and a strong run to the fourth round of Wimbledon.
Despite these successes, Raducanu’s season was interrupted by a foot injury that sidelined her for nearly two months towards the end of the year. She did manage to return for the final week of the season, where she played a key role in helping Great Britain secure a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup, winning all three of her matches. Her confidence was high as she entered the off-season, but the recent back injury has once again disrupted her preparations for the new year.
In an effort to address her physical challenges, Raducanu has made changes to her team. She recently hired renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura on a full-time basis. Nakamura, who has been with Raducanu in New Zealand, is working with her to strengthen her body and help her better withstand the physical demands of professional tennis. Raducanu’s hope is that this partnership will enable her to avoid further injuries and build the resilience needed to compete at the highest level.
As she continues to recover from her back injury, Raducanu’s focus will be on regaining her fitness and preparing for the Australian Open. The tournament represents a major opportunity for her to make a strong start to the season, but her ability to compete will depend on how well she can manage her recovery in the coming days.
