Emma Raducanu Withdraws from ASB Classic Due to Back Injury

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from this week’s ASB Classic in Auckland due to a back issue. The 22-year-old was scheduled to face Robin Montgomery in the first round but will now head to Melbourne to continue her preparations for the Australian Open which starts on January 12. Raducanu explained her decision, stating, “I tried my best to be ready, but unfortunately I picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time.”

Although she felt disappointed, she expressed her love for Auckland and the local fans.  The former US Open champion, who had a tough season in 2023, hopes to recover in time for the first Grand Slam of the year. Raducanu struggled with injuries last season including a foot ligament sprain in September that limited her to just three matches for the rest of the year.

She won all three matches representing Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals but lacked match practice ahead of the Australian Open. Although Raducanu faced fewer injuries in 2023 compared to 2022, she only played 10 matches after Wimbledon and missed the Miami Open due to a back issue. To address her fitness, Raducanu brought in renowned trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who has worked with her in Auckland.

She explained that she needed a more personalized fitness approach and looked forward to the benefits of this new partnership. Emma Raducanu believes that the tailored approach with both Nakamura and coach Nick Cavaday has already shown results on the court. Currently ranked 56th in the world, Raducanu will not receive a seed for the Australian Open, making her path to success even more challenging.