British No. 1 Emma Raducanu, 22, has officially withdrawn from next week’s Berlin Tennis Open (starting June 18), citing a “lingering” lower back problem.. The decision comes just two weeks before Wimbledon, where Raducanu hopes to mount a more consistent challenge than her past appearances.
Recurring Injury: A Risk Too Big Ahead of Wimbledon
Raducanu’s back issues date back to the Strasbourg tournament in May and resurfaced during her quarter-final defeat to Qinwen Zheng at Queen’s Club.. She took a medical timeout mid-match and mentioned multiple taping and painkillers being used to manage discomfort. Though she maintained the injury was not “serious”, she described it as an “annoying” but persistent vulnerability .
This latest development marks a distinct pivot in her schedule: capitalizing on a WTA 500 wild card in Berlin rather than Nottingham, she has chosen rest over match play to safeguard her fitness for SW19.
Queen’s Club Exit Exposes Physical Toll
The Queen’s Club quarter-final loss, 6‑2 6‑4 to Zheng, crystallized the urgency of Raducanu’s situation. Despite flashes of promise—leading 3‑0 in the second set—her movement became increasingly compromised, culminating in a medical timeout after the first set.
Following the match, Raducanu admitted she has “had back issues before” and understands the need for “proper and careful management”. She also expressed disappointment with her level of play, acknowledging that physical limitations affected her ability to compete consistently .
Implications for Wimbledon Seeding
By skipping Berlin—a WTA 500 event featuring nine of the world’s top 10 players—Raducanu will forego crucial ranking points. That likely compromises her chances of earning a top-32 seeding at Wimbledon. Nevertheless, she plans to use the Eastbourne tournament as a final Wimbledon tune-up and is confident she can recover enough to compete.
Despite missing seeding, Wimbledon’s draw could still favour her; however, an unseeded status elevates the risk of facing top-ranked opponents early—potentially limiting any deep run.
Injury History and Management Strategy
Back problems appear to be a recurring theme for Raducanu. Earlier this year, she battled spasms during Strasbourg ahead of the French Open and required physio attention during that event. Although she completed the match, the recurring nature remains concerning.
Her strategy now seems focused on long-term recovery. While emphasizing that her injury isn’t serious, she has chosen to prioritize durability over match readiness, trailing her career win streak and challenges in maintaining consistent form.
Competitive Momentum vs. Physical Readiness
Raducanu has struggled to build match momentum since her US Open triumph in 2021. Her quarter-final run at Queen’s showed encouraging signs, but the recurring injury halted progress. The decision to withdraw from Berlin and shift focus to Eastbourne reflects a reduced willingness to gamble on weekend tournaments that risk exacerbating injury ahead of a Grand Slam.
Player’s Perspective: Cautious Optimism
Raducanu remains upbeat despite the setback. She has confirmed plans to return at Eastbourne and “is confident” she’ll be fit in time for Wimbledon . Her realistic approach—acknowledging the vulnerability of her back while not expressing undue alarm—demonstrates measured maturity around managing body and schedule.
Final Thoughts
Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from the Berlin Open underscores a critical career juncture. Her ongoing back trouble, manageable but lingering, necessitates a more cautious path ahead of Wimbledon. While missing Berlin risks losing seeding and ranking opportunities, it may safeguard her long-term health and performance.
