Emma Raducanu bounces back from back pain, returns to Eastbourne before Wimbledon

British number one Emma Raducanu is set to return to the Lexus Eastbourne Open next week after successfully managing a recurring back problem ahead of Wimbledon.

The 22-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals at Eastbourne last year, has been prioritising rest and recovery after experiencing discomfort since May.

Raducanu, Britain’s top-ranked female tennis player, was forced to take a medical timeout during her recent quarter-final 6-2, 6-4 defeat to Zheng Qinwen at the Queen’s Club, highlighting ongoing back issues that first surfaced during the Strasbourg tournament. Despite these challenges, she has declared herself fit and ready for her final tune-up event before Wimbledon, which kicks off on June 30.

Drawn against America’s Ann Li in the opening round on Monday, Raducanu will be hoping to build on her strong performances on grass. Last year at Eastbourne, she took out top-seeded Jessica Pegula before advancing to the fourth round at Wimbledon, making a significant mark on the grass-court season.

Below is a preview of the first round matchup for Emma Raducanu against the world number 65:

Start time (local): Mon, 23 Jun, 10:00 AM

Start time (your time): Mon, 23 Jun, 5:00 PM

Tournament: Lexus Eastbourne Open

Round: Round of 32

Seeded seventh this year, Raducanu joins a strong British contingent at Eastbourne, with Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Sonay Kartal, and Mingge Xu also competing. If she progresses through the draw, a potential second-round clash with two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur could be on the cards, while defending champion and world No.16 Daria Kasatkina looms as a possible quarter-final opponent.

Reflecting on her injury, Raducanu was candid about the difficulties it has posed: "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.".

The Lexus Eastbourne Open will begin its qualifying matches over the weekend, with the main draw kicking off on Monday and culminating in the finals on Saturday, June 28. The tournament offers a valuable opportunity for players to adapt to grass conditions, test their fitness, and gain momentum heading into Wimbledon.

For Raducanu, the event is more than just preparation, it is a chance to send a message that she remains one of Britain’s brightest tennis talents despite the physical challenges. As Wimbledon approaches, fans will be watching closely to see if she can bounce back fully and continue her journey towards the top of the sport.