Emma Raducanu has announced her withdrawal from the 2025 ASB Classic just hours before her first match. The player cited a back injury as the reason for her no-show.

Raducanu was gearing up to start her anticipated 2025 campaign at the WTA 250 in Auckland. The Brit, who recently completed her intense preseason training block in her home country, traveled to New Zealand days in advance to begin her pre-tournament preparations with her coach, Nick Cavaday, and her new fitness coach, Yukata Nakamura.

Ranked No. 56 in the world, Emma Raducanu was unseeded at the tournament and had drawn America’s Robin Montgomery in the opening round. However, just hours before her match on Tuesday, December 31, the 2021 US Open champion announced that she had pulled out.

In her statement, Raducanu shared that she picked up a “back niggle,” which, despite her best effort, she was unable to overcome.

“I’ve tried my best to be ready. I love Auckland and the fans here. But unfortunately I’ve picked up a back niggle and I won’t be ready in time,” Emma Raducanu said.

Raducanu isn’t slated to compete at any other warmup tournaments before her Australian Open campaign.

Emma Raducanu expressed optimism about 2025 run days before ASB Classic setback: “I’m ready to push on and build on”

Emma Raducanu has had a turbulent few seasons marred by injuries and withdrawals since winning her historic 2021 US Open title as a qualifier. In 2023, she suffered her biggest setback when she had to prematurely call time on her season after undergoing three surgeries on her ankles and wrist.

The Brit resumed her tennis journey at the 2024 ASB Classic and staged a promising campaign thereafter. Her best result was reaching the semifinal in Nottingham. She also made the quarterfinals in Eastbourne, Stuttgart, Washington, DC, and Seoul. At Grand Slams, Raducanu delighted her home crowd by advancing to the second week of the Wimbledon Championships.

After a foot injury hampered her run in Seoul, Emma Raducanu returned to action, representing Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup in November. Although the team fell short of the title, the 22-year-old acquired a 100% win rate at the tournament.

At the ASB Classic pre-tournament press conference, Emma Raducanu was thus optimistic about her 2025 campaign.

“So that’s like a good stepping stone after three surgeries the year before,” the Brit said.

“And I think this year I’m just ready to push on and build on and I’ve really kind of taken measures and steps to do that with my team and how I’m operating and how I’m feeling about things. So, I’m looking forward to this year.”

Raducanu isn’t slated to compete at any other warmup tournaments before her Australian Open campaign. It remains to be seen if the player participates in any exhibition events in the lead-up to the first Grand Slam of the year.