AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Emma Raducanu, the former U.S. Open champion, has officially pulled out of the Auckland tennis classic due to a lingering back injury. The 22-year-old British athlete, who was seeded sixth in the tournament, hoped to begin her season against American player Robin Montgomery, but her condition has not improved sufficiently.
“I’ve tried my best to be prepared. I genuinely love Auckland and appreciate the fans here. Regrettably, I’ve experienced a back issue, and I won’t be ready to compete,” Raducanu stated.
In addition to Raducanu, the second-seeded Elise Mertens from Belgium has also withdrawn from the event that serves as a precursor to the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 12 in Melbourne. Mertens expressed her disappointment, saying, “I am sorry not to play my singles due to an injury. I wish the tournament all the best and hope to be back next year.”
Before the tournament commenced, Raducanu discussed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season, noting a successful finish to her previous year. She had secured victories in all three singles matches for Great Britain during the Billie Jean King Cup. “That’s a good stepping stone after going through three surgeries the year before,” she remarked. “I feel ready to advance this year, having taken significant steps with my team and in how I’m operating. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
Throughout her career, Raducanu has faced ongoing injury issues, prompting her to hire fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, who joined her team in Auckland. The 2021 U.S. Open victor made a comeback last year following surgeries on both wrists and an ankle, but she was sidelined again late in the season due to a foot injury.
Her injury struggles have seen Raducanu drop out of the top 300 rankings, but she has made considerable progress, climbing back to the 56th position in 2024. The Auckland tournament would have been particularly significant for her as it marked the first occasion in nearly two years that she had been seeded in an event.
“I haven’t been seeded in a while,” Raducanu acknowledged. “While it’s nice, it doesn’t fundamentally change anything. The depth in the women’s game is exceptionally competitive, meaning any player can triumph in any tournament.”
