Emma Raducanu's back problem forces her out of season opener
- Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Auckland Open due to a back injury, hindering her preparation for the new season.
- The tournament was set to be her first competitive match of the year, where she was seeded sixth.
- Despite the setback, there are still expectations for her participation in the upcoming Australian Open in January.
Emma Raducanu faced another challenging start to a new season as she had to withdraw from the Auckland Open, a tournament taking place in New Zealand, due to a back injury. The event, which began on December 31, 2024, was set to be her first competitive outing of the year. Raducanu, a 22-year-old British tennis player and former US Open champion, expressed her disappointment in a statement, revealing that she experienced a back niggle, which had impeded her preparations during the off-season. The tournament was particularly significant for Raducanu as it would have marked her debut following her collaboration with renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. She had recently trained at the National Tennis Centre in London after contributing to Britain's success in the Billie Jean King Cup. Rumors of her fitness troubles had preceded the event, with Raducanu having been seeded sixth in Auckland and scheduled to face American player Robin Montgomery. In her statement, she emphasized her love for Auckland and the local fans, stating that she had tried her utmost to be fit for the tournament, but could not overcome the setback in time. The withdrawal is a continuation of the injuries that have plagued Raducanu's career since she turned professional, raising concerns about her readiness to compete in the upcoming Australian Open in January 2025. As the first Grand Slam event of the season approaches, Raducanu’s hopes for a strong performance are dimmed by the injury concerns. Despite the challenges, there is still an expectation that she could recover in time to participate in Melbourne, which begins on January 12, 2025.