Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the upcoming Berlin Tennis Open due to a persistent back injury, marking another setback in the British No 1’s efforts to regain consistent form and fitness ahead of Wimbledon. The 22-year-old, who had shown glimpses of her best during her run to the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club, confirmed that the back issue has been “lingering” for several weeks, initially flaring up during her appearance in Strasbourg last month before the French Open.
Raducanu, who took a medical timeout during her match against China’s Zheng Qinwen in the Queen’s Club quarter-final, described the problem as a longstanding vulnerability rather than a new or severe injury. “It’s been lingering for the last few weeks and I have had back issues before. I think it’s just a vulnerability of mine,” she said after the loss. “I’m not overly concerned that it’s something serious, but it’s something that’s very annoying and needs proper and careful management.”
Her decision to skip the WTA 500 event in Berlin, which features nine of the world’s top 10 players, reflects a pragmatic choice to prioritise recovery over rankings. Raducanu had originally chosen Berlin over Nottingham due to the prestige of the tournament and the level of competition, bolstered by a wildcard entry. However, the withdrawal now means she will lose a valuable opportunity to compete at a high level just weeks before Wimbledon and, significantly, she will no longer be seeded for her home Grand Slam. This could result in a tougher draw at the All England Club, where she reached the fourth round last year.
Despite the setback, Raducanu and her team remain optimistic about her short-term fitness. She is reportedly confident of competing at the Eastbourne International the week before Wimbledon. Last year, Eastbourne served as a crucial confidence-booster, with Raducanu earning her first win over a top-10 opponent by defeating Jessica Pegula. That performance paved the way for a strong showing at Wimbledon, highlighting the tournament’s importance in her grass-court preparation.
Raducanu’s injury struggles have been a recurring theme since her breakthrough 2021 US Open triumph. Although she has made strides in building resilience and adding consistency to her game, physical setbacks have frequently disrupted her momentum. With Wimbledon approaching and expectations mounting, her ability to manage this latest injury and return to full fitness could be pivotal not only for her summer campaign but for her broader bid to reestablish herself as a force on the WTA Tour.
