Emma Raducanu has been forced to withdraw from the Auckland Open due to a back injury, putting a halt to her highly anticipated return to competitive tennis. The British star, who has been working hard to regain full fitness after a series of injuries, confirmed the decision ahead of her first-round match.
Raducanu, who had been making strides in her comeback, expressed disappointment over the withdrawal, citing the need to prioritize her health and recovery. “It’s incredibly frustrating to have to pull out, especially after looking forward to playing in Auckland. But after consulting with my team, I need to listen to my body and focus on getting back to full fitness,” she said in a statement.
The 2021 US Open champion’s withdrawal is a setback as she continues to navigate her return to top-level tennis following multiple injury struggles. Fans were hoping to see her build on recent improvements, but this decision underscores the importance of caution and long-term health in her recovery process.
Raducanu’s team has not provided a clear timeline for her return to competition, but she remains optimistic about her future prospects once the injury is fully healed. As the tournament continues in Auckland, all eyes will be on her recovery progress in the coming weeks.
