Emma Raducanu, the Grand Slam champion, has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Auckland Open due to a back injury, adding another setback to her preparations for the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old British tennis star, who was slated to face American Robin Montgomery in the first round of the ASB Classic, confirmed her withdrawal in a statement.
Raducanu expressed her disappointment, stating that despite her best efforts to be ready, the back issue had prevented her from competing in Auckland.
She had hoped to make a strong return after her injury struggles over the past few years but has now opted to travel to Melbourne to continue her training for the upcoming Australian Open, which kicks off on January 12.
Since her historic victory at the US Open in 2021, Raducanu has had to contend with a series of injuries, which have hampered her progress on the court.
In 2023, she missed five tournaments during the WTA’s Asia swing due to a sprained foot ligament and also spent significant time recovering from ankle and wrist surgeries.
These setbacks have kept her from playing at her full potential, and as a result, she has entered the Australian Open without sufficient match practice.
In 2023, Raducanu managed to participate in only three matches after an injury in Seoul in September. However, despite her limited play, she triumphed in each of these matches, representing Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
This is a testament to her talent, but the lack of regular match play remains a concern as she heads into the first Grand Slam of the year.
Last season saw fewer injury issues, but Raducanu still played only ten matches after Wimbledon and was forced to miss the Miami Open due to another back problem. This back niggle has now led to her withdrawal from the Auckland event, further underlining her fitness struggles.
In response to these challenges, Raducanu has enlisted the help of renowned trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who has been working with her in Auckland to develop a more tailored approach to her fitness.
Raducanu has expressed satisfaction with the changes brought about by this personalised training, and she is hopeful it will make a positive impact on her game.
“I just needed a more tailored approach and someone dedicated solely to me as an individual,” Raducanu shared 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.”
Despite her injury concerns, Raducanu remains determined to make her mark at the Australian Open. Currently ranked 56th in the world, she will not be seeded for the tournament.
This could make her journey to the later rounds more challenging, but her resilience and determination continue to make her a player to watch in Melbourne.
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