Emma Raducanu withdraws from Berlin Open

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from this week’s Berlin Open as she continues to manage a lingering back problem ahead of a key stretch in the grass-court season.

The 22-year-old, who is set to reclaim her status as British number one when the WTA rankings update on Monday, has been struggling with the injury since playing in Strasbourg before the French Open.

The former US Open champion required an off-court medical timeout during her quarter-final defeat to Zheng Qinwen at the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham on Friday.

“It’s been lingering for the last few weeks, and I have had back issues before,” Raducanu said. “It’s just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it. I need to let the back rest. [It] needs proper and careful management.”

Raducanu had accepted a wildcard into the WTA 500 event in Berlin, choosing it over Nottingham. The tournament begins Monday and includes nine of the world’s top 10 female players.

Despite the withdrawal, Raducanu is expected to be fit for Eastbourne (23–28 June) and Wimbledon, which starts on 30 June.

Last year, she earned her first top-10 win by defeating Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne before reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.