Raducanu Withdraws from Auckland Classic Due to Back Injury

Emma Raducanu's preparations for the Australian Open have suffered a significant setback after the British tennis star withdrew from the Auckland Classic due to a back injury.

Emma Raducanu withdraws from Auckland Classic due to back injury, dealing a blow to her Australian Open preparations. Get the latest tennis news and updates.

According to reports, Raducanu was forced to pull out of the WTA 250 event in New Zealand, citing a back issue that has been troubling her in recent days.

"Unfortunately, I've been struggling with a back injury and didn't feel ready to compete this week," Raducanu said in a statement.

The 20-year-old US Open champion was seeded third in Auckland and was expected to face off against Linda Fruhvirtová in the second round.

Raducanu's withdrawal is a significant blow to her Australian Open preparations, which get underway on January 15 in Melbourne.

The British number one has struggled with injuries throughout her young career, including a wrist problem that forced her to withdraw from the Transylvania Open in October.

Injuries have been a recurring theme for Raducanu, who has also dealt with issues related to her knee, ankle, and hip.

Despite her injury woes, Raducanu has shown tremendous resilience and determination, often pushing through pain to compete at the highest level.

However, with the Australian Open just around the corner, Raducanu will need to prioritize her recovery and ensure that she's fully fit before taking to the court in Melbourne.

The Auckland Classic was seen as a key warm-up event for Raducanu, who was looking to fine-tune her game ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season.

Without the benefit of competition in Auckland, Raducanu will now have to rely on practice sessions and training drills to prepare herself for the Australian Open.

It's a far-from-ideal situation for Raducanu, who will be looking to make a deep run in Melbourne and build on her impressive breakthrough season in 2022.

Despite the setback, Raducanu remains optimistic about her chances at the Australian Open.

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the court and competing again soon," Raducanu said.

For now, though, Raducanu's focus will be on recovery and rehabilitation, as she bids to get her Australian Open preparations back on track.