- Raducanu reached quarter-finals at Queen’s this week before straight-sets loss
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Berlin Open as she continues to manage the back issue that has plagued her since the tail end of the clay season.
The newly minted British No1’s first grass-court event came this week at Queen’s, with Raducanu reaching the quarter-finals before facing off with number-one seed Zheng Qinwen.
After taking a medical timeout to see a physio off-court, Raducanu lost in straight sets to the Olympic champion, and shared in the wake of the match that she was still struggling with the recurrence of a back spasm which interrupted her tournament preparations last week.
‘I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it’s just been something that’s been on and off,’ Raducanu said. ‘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 it just tests it out.
‘I don’t know (how concerned I should be). 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,’ she added.
Emma Raducanu will not take part in the Berlin Open on the heels of her quarter-final defeat at Queen’s on Friday
The withdrawal comes just 17 days before the start of Wimbledon, and all but ends the player’s chance of being seeded at her home Grand Slam.
Ranked 36 in the world in the live rankings, barring a spate of withdrawals Raducanu will likely face a more challenging draw as a result.
But Raducanu remains positive that she will compete at Eastbourne, one week before the Championships, after taking a rest week instead of playing the 250 tournament in Germany.
