Former British No 1 Emma Raducanu has regrettably pulled out of the first tournament of the new season, the WTA ASB Classic in Auckland, due to a back problem. The 22-year-old athlete has expressed her disappointment, stating, “Tried my best to be ready,” on the WTA website. She further mentioned, “I love Auckland and the fans here but unfortunately picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time,” highlighting her affection for the tournament and the local supporters.
Raducanu’s withdrawal comes as a setback as this tournament was set to mark her return to competitive play since hiring renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, which she hoped would enhance her physical preparedness for the rigorous demands of the professional circuit. This is particularly disheartening for Raducanu, who has faced a series of fitness issues since her extraordinary triumph at the US Open in 2021. After that remarkable achievement, she unfortunately had to navigate through various injuries, leading her to miss two months at the end of last season due to a foot injury.
In the lead-up to the tournament, Raducanu trained diligently at the National Tennis Centre in London, aiming to build her fitness after contributing to Britain’s impressive semi-final run in the Billie Jean King Cup last month. Following that, she traveled to New Zealand for some much-needed warm-weather training over the Christmas period, expecting to gain an advantage as the new season commenced.
Raducanu, seeded sixth in the Auckland tournament, was slated to face 20-year-old American Robin Montgomery in her opening match. The event also draws attention with the presence of former Grand Slam champions such as Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin, making it a highly anticipated competition for tennis fans.
This latest injury setback adds another layer of challenge for Raducanu as she gears up for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, which commences on January 12. The timing of her injury raises concerns about her preparation and fitness ahead of such a significant tournament, as players typically require a few matches to find their rhythm and confidence. All eyes will be on Raducanu as she strives to recover quickly and make her return to form on the court.
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