Raducanu to miss Berlin as she manages niggling back issue ahead of Wimbledon
The Briton is still expected to play in the WTA event in Eastbourne the week before Wimbledon
Imago / Psnewz
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu says she is managing a “very annoying” back problem as she prepares for Wimbledon.
The 22-year-old reached the quarter-finals of the WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club in London this week but required treatment on her back midway through her 6-2, 6-4 defeat by top seed Qinwen Zheng on Friday.
And the British No 1 (she will return to the top of the GB rankings on Monday) will no longer play in next week’s WTA 500 event in Berlin, pulling out just before the draw was made on Saturday, choosing to rest and recover instead of risking injury.
“I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg,” Raducanu told reporters after her match on Friday. “It’s just been something that’s been on and off. I have been managing it pretty well over the last few weeks, but I guess as the week goes on and I have played five matches now, like, even if two were doubles, it just tests it out. And I just felt it, I think, as the load goes up.”
“I think it’s just a vulnerability of mine”
Radcuanu had previously described the issue as back spasms but said on Friday she does not think it is a serious problem.
“It’s been lingering for the last few weeks and I have had back issues before,” she said. “I think it’s just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it. I’m not overly concerned that it’s something serious, but I know it’s something that’s very annoying and needs proper and careful management.”
Raducanu is still expected to play in the WTA event in Eastbourne the week before Wimbledon, which begins on June 30.
