Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the upcoming Berlin Tennis Open due to a persistent back problem, casting doubt on her Wimbledon preparation and costing her a potential seeding at the tournament. The British No 1 has been managing discomfort since the Strasbourg event last month, and the issue flared up again during her quarter-final match against Zheng Qinwen at Queen’s Club, where she took a medical timeout off the court.
The 22-year-old has spoken candidly about the nature of the injury, describing it as a “lingering” issue and acknowledging that back problems have been a recurring challenge in her career. While she downplayed any fears of a serious long-term condition, she emphasized the need for careful and deliberate management, suggesting that continuing to play through it could risk further aggravation.
Raducanu had originally planned to compete in Berlin after receiving a wildcard into the WTA 500 tournament, which is set to feature a strong field including nine of the world’s top 10 players. Her decision to prioritize Berlin over Nottingham was seen as an attempt to test herself against elite competition ahead of the grass-court Grand Slam. However, the discomfort she experienced in her recent matches appears to have shifted her focus toward recovery rather than competition.
Missing the Berlin event also means Raducanu will fall short of earning a seeding at Wimbledon, a status that could have offered some initial protection in the draw. Seedings are based on world rankings, and skipping a high-points event like Berlin will limit her chances of boosting her position ahead of the tournament. Nevertheless, her team remains optimistic, and Raducanu is expected to return to competition at the Eastbourne Open.
Eastbourne will now play a critical role in her Wimbledon preparations. It was the site of one of her standout performances last year, where she recorded her first win over a top-10 player by defeating Jessica Pegula. That result provided a significant confidence boost before she went on to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, signaling a strong return to form following a string of injury setbacks.
With Wimbledon fast approaching, Raducanu’s immediate priority is to ensure that her body is ready for the demands of Grand Slam tennis. While her withdrawal from Berlin is a setback, the decision reflects a more measured and mature approach to injury management a far cry from earlier in her career when she sometimes played through physical issues to her detriment.
As one of the most high-profile young players in the sport, Raducanu’s health and fitness will be under close scrutiny in the coming weeks. Fans will be eager to see her back on the court at Eastbourne, ideally stronger, pain-free, and ready to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.
