Emma Raducanu Withdraws from Auckland Open Due to Back Injury

The former US Open champion's injury raises concerns about her fitness ahead of the Australian Open starting January 12.

Emma Raducanu, seeded sixth at the Auckland Open, pulled out of her first-round match citing a back injury that disrupted her off-season training.
The 22-year-old British player has faced recurring injuries since her 2021 US Open triumph, including surgeries on her wrists and ankle in 2023.
Raducanu recently hired fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura to focus on improving her physical resilience, but her latest injury highlights ongoing challenges.
She will now travel to Melbourne to prepare for the Australian Open, where she is unseeded and racing to regain full fitness.
Second-seeded Elise Mertens also withdrew from the Auckland tournament due to an ankle injury, further impacting the event's lineup.