Emma Raducanu: Former British No. 1 out of first Auckland tournament of the year with back injury | Tennis news
Emma Raducanu withdrew from the first tournament of the new season due to injury.
The 22-year-old was forced to withdraw from the ASB Classic in Auckland due to back problems.
“I did my best to be ready,” said Raducanu on WTA site. “I love Auckland and the fans here, but unfortunately I’ve picked up a problem and won’t be ready in time.”
The tournament was to be Raducanu’s first since hiring renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.
The former British number one has struggled with fitness since her incredible 2021 US Open triumph and missed two months at the end of last season with a foot injury.
Raducanu trained at the National Tennis Center in London after helping Britain reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup last month before heading to work in the warm weather over Christmas.
She was seeded sixth in Auckland and was due to meet 20-year-old American Robin Montgomery in her opening match. Former Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin are also participating in the tournament.
It’s another blow for Raducana as her latest injury problem won’t help her preparations for the year’s first grand slam, the Australian Open, which starts on January 12.
