Raducanu Withdraws From Miami Open With Lower Back Injury

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Miami Open in the United States with a lower back injury.

Raducanu, 21, was slated to battle China’s Wang Xiyu in the opening round of the Miami Open on Tuesday.

It is a blow to Raducanu’s comeback following an injury-disrupted 2023 season.

World number two Aryna Sabalenka defeated the 2021 US Open champion in straight sets in their third-round clash at Indian Wells last week.

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The extent of Raducanu’s injury and its impact on her selection for Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup squad against France (April 12-13) remain unclear.

Before her defeat by two-time Australian Open winner Sabalenka, Raducanu had recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since winning three in a row at Indian

She made her return to the tour in January following an eight-month absence, during which she had operations on both of her wrists and her left ankle.

Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 288th, prioritizes developing her game this year. She received a wildcard for the Miami Open and recently stated she’s “not too concerned” about results.

Meanwhile, Britons Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, Jack Draper and Katie Boulter are preparing to start their tournaments in Miami.

Murray, a two-time winner in Florida, will face Italian Matteo Berrettini in the first round on Wednesday, with the winner taking on Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.

Draper, 22, takes on Taro Daniel of Japan, while 33-year-old Evans faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

British number ones Norrie and Boulter play on Friday, as the pair have both received a first-round bye as one of the 32 men’s and women’s seeded players.