Ex-US Open Champion Emma Raducanu Handed Big Jolt In Australian Open Preparations
NDTV
Great Britain's Emma Raducanu is travelling with renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura in an attempt to better withstand the rigours of professional tennis.
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu pulled out of the Auckland Classic on Tuesday with a "back niggle" in a blow to her Australian Open preparations. Britain's Raducanu will now fly to Melbourne to begin rehabilitation ahead of the year's first major starting on January 12. The 22-year-old has suffered a series of injuries since bursting onto the scene with her New York triumph in 2021. "I've tried my best to be ready. I love Auckland and the fans here," the 56th-ranked Raducanu said.
"But unfortunately I've picked up a back niggle and I won't be ready in time."
Raducanu is travelling with renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura in an attempt to better withstand the rigours of professional tennis.
Raducanu missed a chunk of 2023 following wrist and ankle surgery, and was recently sidelined for two months by a foot injury.
Former Australian Open semi-finalist Elise Mertens also withdrew Tuesday hours before the second seed's first-round match in Auckland.
