Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon preparation has been given an almighty shake-up, with the Brit completely altering her schedule following her Queen’s exit.
There are many factors that may be contributing to this sudden change of heart, not least a recurring back ailment that continues to flare up in key moments.
Yesterday, against Qinwen Zheng, she was forced to see the physio and leave the court to try and ease the pain.
And so, with that in mind, she has pulled out of her latest event.
Emma Raducanu’s latest fitness update before pulling out of Berlin Open
Speaking after her exit from Queen’s yesterday afternoon, Emma Raducanu spoke about her ongoing back injury and offered a fitness update.
She began by stating: ‘Yeah, I mean, I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and 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, I think, yeah, it just tests it out.
‘And I just felt it, I think, as the load goes up. Yeah, they took me off court and taped it to give me some extra stability, and some painkillers. Yeah, that was it.’
Asked if she’s worried about her Wimbledon participation, she continued: ‘Well, I don’t know. It’s been lingering for the last few weeks, and I have had back issues before. 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 confirmed her relationship with Zheng after the match too, as a couple of Chinese speaking tennis stars.
Emma Raducanu avoids the stacked Berlin Open draw
This information has emerged following the release of the draw for the Berlin Open, which is truly stacked.
12 of the top 13 ranked WTA players will be playing in this event, with only Iga Swiatek missing.
It’s a testament to the depth in quality at the tournament that Zheng will face Elena Rybakina in the very first round.
Raducanu would have been testing herself against the very best that the women’s game has to offer, but with her fitness worries, it might have come a week too soon.
Perhaps rest is the best option, before ensuring guaranteed minutes on the grass in Eastbourne rather than throwing herself in at the deep end and potentially suffering an early exit.
