Emma Raducanu pulls out of first tournament of season with back problem
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the first tournament of the new season through injury. “I love Auckland and the fans here but unfortunately picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time.” The tournament was to be Raducanu’s first since hiring renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. Raducanu trained at the National Tennis Centre in London after helping Britain reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup last month before heading down under for some warm-weather work over Christmas. It is another blow for Raducanu as this latest injury problem will not help her preparations for the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open, which begins on January 12.