Raducanu pulls out of Auckland Open due to back injury
The Brit withdrew from the WTA 250 tournament on Tuesday and was replaced by Japan’s Mai Hontama
Laurent Sanson / Panoramic
Britain’s Emma Raducanu announced a last-minute withdrawal from the 2025 Auckland Open. She revealed suffering from a back injury.
Raducanu was slated to get her 2025 season going against Robin Montgomery in the first round of the WTA 250 tournament on Tuesday, December 31, but decided not to take the court.
“Tried my best to be ready,” she said in a statement. “I love Auckland and the fans here but unfortunately picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time.”
Japan’s Mai Hontama replaced the Brit and faced Montgomery only to lose 6-3, 2-6, 6-0. Raducanu hasn’t played in a singles event on the WTA Tour since retiring midway through her quarter-final match against Daria Kasatkina at the Korea Open in September 2024.
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