Emma Raducanu’s injury curse strikes again and her statement will raise eyebrows

Emma Raducanu decided to start her preparation for the Australian Open early as he headed down to the country well ahead of her opening tournament, but those plans have been thrown into chaos before a ball has been struck in the new season.

Just a few hours before Raducanu was due to play her opening match at the ASB Classic in Auckland, she confirmed a back problem had ended her hopes of taking on 20-year-old American Robin Montgomery in the first round.

A statement published on the WTA website from Raducanu confirmed her hopes of starting 2025 with a bang had been halted at first base.

“I’ve tried my best to be ready,” Raducanu said in a statement. “I love Auckland and the fans here. But unfortunately, I’ve picked up a back niggle and I won’t be ready in time.”

Raducanu will now fly to Melbourne to continue her preparations for the Australian Open, but there must be some doubts over whether she will be fit to play.

The tournament in Auckland was to be Raducanu’s first since hiring renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who she hopes will give her a chance to build up the physical strength required to compete on the WTA Tour.

Yet confirmation that she has pulled out with a ‘niggle’ will add to the cynical view that the 2021 US Open champion is reluctant to take to the court unless she is 100 per-cent injury free.

Raducanu pulled out of a host of tournaments in 2024 but still managed to climb to No 59 in the WTA Rankings despite her lack of competitive action.

Now her withdrawal from the tournament in New Zealand will cast doubts over whether she will play in the Australian Open, which gets underway in just two weeks’ time.

This setback is a blow to Raducanu, who spoke last month about her desire to get on court more regularly in the new year.

“I feel like I’m in a pretty good place to just get on court as much as I can,” said Raducanu.

“I feel really strong. I feel really fit. The only thing I can’t really speak for is I haven’t played that many matches. On the training court, I feel amazing. I feel like I’m running around, throwing myself around on the court, but it’s different playing matches.

“I played a few (at Billie Jean King Cup) and I felt good. I felt like I recovered well. I wasn’t tiring in the matches. It would just be good to see as the level increases, and if I have to play more back-to-back, how I’m going to react.”

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash spoke to Tennis365 about Raducanu’s hopes for 2025 and he joined the chorus of those who are a little confused by his constant injury woes.

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“It’s been interesting to watch her play. She has certainly got the talent to compete at the top level,” Cash told Tennis365 in his role as an ambassador for the Bank of China Hong Kong Open 2025.

“I was at Queen’s Club the other day and some highlights popped up on the TV of her winning the US Open and it was just phenomenal to remind yourself how good she is.

“She has had some issues with her forehand from time to time and maybe the stress of it all contributed to those injuries.

“She’s had half a decent year when she was able to play matches, but we have an opportunity here for a player like Emma to come through.

“On both the men’s and women’s side of the draws, we have one or two players right at the top who have separated themselves, but there is a gap below that and players can come through to the latter stages of tournaments.

“We saw Navarro come through this year and Emma is definitely a better player than her.

“Navarro is tough, tricky and competitive, but Raducanu has more to her game.

“You just have to hope Raducanu stays fit and can get matches under her belt because she certainly has the talent to do very well.”

Cash is right to suggest Raducanu has the talent to enjoy big success in 2025, but her fitness issues continue to undermine her ambitions and this latest withdrawal has to be seen as a big worry for a player who does not appear to be robust enough to compete consistently on the WTA Tour.

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