Emma Raducanu Pulls Out Of Auckland Due to Back Injury

Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Auckland WTA 250 due to a back injury.

Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Auckland Open due to a back injury. / IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

It is a new season, but the same problems plague Emma Raducanu. On Monday evening, Raducanu announced that she had withdrawn from the ASB Classic due to a back injury.

"Tried my best to be ready," said Raducanu. "I love Auckland and the fans here, but unfortunately, I picked up a back niggle and won't be ready in time."

The sixth seed was scheduled to play Robin Montgomery in the first round of the ASB Classic on Tuesday. Additionally, she had a forgiving draw, leading to predictions that she could win the WTA 250 tournament.

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Auckland due to a back injury.

Tough way to start the season.

Hoping to see her healthy at the Australian Open.

🇬🇧❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/tcHpSCfyBG

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 30, 2024

Instead of competing in Auckland (or Adelaide next week), Raducanu will fly to Melbourne to prepare for the 2025 Australian Open. The first Grand Slam tournament begins on January 12.

Fans had hoped Raducanu's injury problems were behind her. She missed almost all of the 2023 season while rehabilitating from multiple surgeries (wrists and ankle) and missed significant time in the 2024 season due to various injuries (mostly her foot in the Asia Swing).

Emma with Yutaka Nakamura on the practice court at the @ASB_Classic 🇳🇿🥝

📸 PhotoSport NZ pic.twitter.com/drU8QuJrY5

— Emma Raducanu Fans (@RaducanuNews) December 29, 2024

However, Raducanu returned for the final week of the season, winning all three of her matches at the Billie Jean King Cup. Even better, she hired legendary fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura during the off-season as part of a new approach.

It is not even January yet, so it is too early to panic about Raducanu. Hopefully, she will be healthy for the Australian Open next month. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

More Tennis News

• Emma Raducanu made way more endorsement money than Aryna Sabalenka in 2024.

• Emma Raducanu: "No one wants to pull my name in the draw."

• Coco Gauff shared a funny story of meeting former United States President Jimmy Carter.