- Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu has suffered another injury blow
- Her latest setback comes less than two weeks before the Australian Open starts
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the ACB Classic in Auckland due to a back injury, derailing her preparation for the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old will fly to Melbourne and is still hopeful of competing in the first Grand Slam of the season, but she will go in with no match practice.
‘Tried my best to be ready,’ said Raducanu. ‘I love Auckland and the fans here but unfortunately picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time.’
It is yet another injury for a player who has had more than her fair share – and an unfortunate start to Raducanu’s partnership with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.
She played only 14 events last year – fewer than all but two other players in the top 100 – and has vowed to get on court more often in 2025.
Speaking in early December, Raducanu said she is determined to give physical issues the proper time to heal, rather than ‘firefighting any niggles’. Her withdrawal from Auckland could be a case in point.
Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the ACB Classic in Auckland with a back injury
It is a blow for the 22-year-old with the Australian Open just around the corner
Raducanu is still hopeful of playing in Melbourne, but her preparations have been hampered
Asked why she believes she has struggled with injury so far in her career, Raducanu said: ’Part of it load: This tournament is happening, and I really want to play it, but I’ve not put in enough training and literally in the first match something starts hurting.
‘I got into that vicious cycle, and it’s pretty dangerous to be in. So I think just making certain load decisions and ensuring I’ve had a build up and proper training. That my body is ready, rather than just firefighting any niggles.’
Raducanu and her team will hope that by taking the cautious approach of scratching her Auckland nomination she will be fully fit for the Australian Open. But in what feels like a potentially pivotal season for the 2021 US Open champion, this is far from an ideal beginning.
