Just under two weeks before the start of the Australian Open, British tennis star Emma Raducanu has announced her withdrawal from the Auckland tournament due to a back injury. The 22-year-old athlete, who was seeded sixth in the tournament, was set to kick off her 2024 season on Tuesday against American player Robin Montgomery.
In her statement, Raducanu expressed her disappointment, saying, “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.”
In addition to Raducanu's withdrawal, second-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium also pulled out of the tournament on the same day, just hours before her first-round match. Mertens expressed her regret, stating, “I am sorry not to play my singles due to an injury. I wish the tournament all the best and hope to be back next year.”
Raducanu, currently ranked 56th in the world, is accompanied by renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura in her efforts to strengthen her physical resilience for the demands of professional tennis. This follows a challenging year for Raducanu, during which she underwent wrist and ankle surgeries, leading to significant time away from the court. She was also sidelined for two months due to a foot injury late last season.
Despite these setbacks, Raducanu made a commendable return to competition in 2023, climbing from outside the top 300 to the 60s, achieving multiple victories against top-10 players and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon. However, the Auckland tournament would have marked a significant milestone for her, as it would have been the first time in nearly two years that she was seeded in a tournament.
Reflecting on her seeding, Raducanu noted, “I haven’t been seeded in a while. It doesn’t really make a difference though. I feel like everyone and the depth of the women’s game right now is so strong that literally anyone can win any tournament.”
Last year, Raducanu concluded her season on a high note, winning all three of her matches at the Billie Jean King Cup, helping Great Britain narrowly miss out on the finals. With her confidence high heading into the off-season, the recent injury has once again disrupted her preparations for the new season.
As Raducanu continues to navigate her recovery and return to form, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how she manages her fitness and performance in the highly competitive landscape of women's tennis.
Zainab Y.
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