British tennis star Emma Raducanu has officially pulled out of the upcoming Berlin Open, a key WTA 500 grass-court tournament, as she continues to deal with a persistent back injury.
The 22-year-old had been scheduled to compete in the high-stakes event after accepting a wildcard entry but opted to withdraw to focus on recovery.
Raducanu, who is expected to reclaim the British number one ranking on Monday, has been battling the recurring back issue since her run in Strasbourg last month, which preceded the French Open.
Her recent quarter-final loss at Queen’s to China’s Zheng Qinwen further exposed the extent of the injury, as she required an off-court medical timeout during the match.
This development reinforced the ongoing nature of her discomfort and raised concerns about her physical readiness.
Sources close to Raducanu indicated that she has experienced back problems before, and the issue has once again flared up, requiring proper rest and careful management.
Her team appears to be taking a cautious approach, especially with the demanding grass-court season underway and Wimbledon just around the corner.
The Berlin Open, set to feature nine of the world’s top ten female players, would have provided Raducanu with valuable match experience ahead of Wimbledon.
However, her absence from the tournament highlights the seriousness of the injury and her need to prioritize long-term health over short-term appearances.
Raducanu’s next potential outing could be at the Eastbourne International, which runs from June 23 to 28. This event represents her final opportunity to gain match practice before the prestigious Wimbledon Championships begin on June 30. Her participation in Eastbourne will depend on her progress in recovery over the coming days.
Last season, Raducanu impressed on grass by defeating top-10 player Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne and reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Her ability to repeat that performance will largely hinge on her recovery and fitness level heading into this year’s tournaments.
As fans and tennis analysts await updates, all eyes remain on Raducanu’s rehabilitation efforts and her potential return to full form in time for her Wimbledon campaign.