Emma Raducanu, a Grand Slam champion, has withdrawn from the Auckland Open owing to a back injury, risking her preparation for the Australian Open. The 22-year-old British tennis player was set to meet American Robin Montgomery in the ASB Classic’s first round on Tuesday. Raducanu has decided to travel to Melbourne to continue preparing for the Australian Open, which starts on January 12.
Emma Raducanu, a Grand Slam champion and the sixth seed in the Auckland warm-up event expressed her disappointment. She is going with renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura to withstand the demands of professional tennis better. Since her remarkable US Open victory in 2021, Raducanu missed most of 2023 due to wrist and ankle surgery. He was recently sidelined for two months with a foot injury.
After her injury in Seoul in September, the 22-year-old played only three matches, all of which she won when representing Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Despite her achievements, she enters the Australian Open with no previous match practice. Raducanu dropped out of the top 300 during her injury troubles. But she worked her way back to 56th by 2024. Elise Mertens, a former Australian Open semi-finalist, also withdrew on Tuesday.
Raducanu’s Injury History a Warning Sign
Emma Raducanu said, “I’ve tried my best to be ready. I love Auckland and the fans here. But unfortunately, I’ve picked up a back niggle and I won’t be ready in time.” “I just needed a more tailored approach and someone dedicated solely to me as an individual,” Raducanu said earlier this month. “It’s already bringing a positive change. The integration between my fitness work and on-court training with [coach] Nick [Cavaday] is making a noticeable difference.”
The 29-year-old will face unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian after her Ukrainian opponent Yuliia Starodubtseva retired in the second set. Sofia Kenin, former Australian Open winner, defeated China’s Wang Xiyu 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, advancing to the second round against fifth-seeded Dane Clara Tauson.
