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Emma Raducanu pulls out of Berlin Open following back injury setback

Originally posted on HITC | By Peter Lynch | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 11:58 AM ET

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from her next tournament as she adjusts her schedule in the build-up to Wimbledon after her early exit at Queen’s.

The British No. 1 has been dealing with a recurring back issue, which flared up again during her loss to Qinwen Zheng. During the match, Raducanu had to leave the court to receive treatment from the physio as she tried to manage the pain.

Given the ongoing problem, Raducanu has opted to pull out of the Berlin Open in order to prioritise her recovery ahead of Wimbledon.

Raducanu provides fitness update after Queen’s exit

Speaking after her defeat to Zheng, Raducanu provided some insight into how her back has been feeling and explained the decision to withdraw from Berlin.

“Yeah, I mean, I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it’s just been something that’s been on and off,” she 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, yeah, it just tests it out.

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‘And I just felt it, I think, as the load goes up. Yeah, they took me off court and taped it to give me some extra stability, and some painkillers. Yeah, that was it.’

Asked if she’s worried about her Wimbledon participation, she continued: ‘Well, I don’t know. 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.”

Raducanu and Zheng, who both speak Chinese, also had a chance to catch up after their match, highlighting the good relationship they share on tour.

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Berlin Open features stacked field

The draw for the Berlin Open was released shortly after Raducanu pulled out, and the event features nearly all of the world’s top players.

12 of the top 13 ranked WTA players will be in the draw, with Iga Swiatek the only notable absentee. The strength of the field is underlined by the fact that Zheng will face Elena Rybakina in the opening round.

Given the level of competition and her recent physical setbacks, skipping Berlin could prove to be a wise move for Raducanu in the long run.

Instead, she may now target playing at Eastbourne, a tournament that could offer her more manageable preparation ahead of Wimbledon.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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