Emma Raducanu has decided not to participate in the Miami Open due to a lower back injury, dealing a fresh setback to the British tennis player.
Raducanu, who had her 2023 season disrupted by injury issues and came back in January, was supposed to compete against world No.56 Wang Xiyu in the first round on Tuesday.
But the 21-year-old, who made it to the third round at Indian Wells last week, will not take part in the esteemed WTA event in Miami despite receiving a wildcard.
The seriousness of Raducanu’s new injury is not yet known but it may affect her chances of representing Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup next month.
Raducanu was inactive for nine months between April 2023 and January 2024 due to issues with both of her wrists and her left ankle.
The 2021 US Open champion, ranked within the world top 10 in 2022, has participated in four events this year after making her comeback from injury in Auckland.
She looked impressive at Indian Wells – winning consecutive matches for the first time in a year – before falling short against world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka.
Following her performance at Indian Wells, Raducanu stated: ‘It was a good success, I would say.
‘I think I have handled myself a lot better on the match court. I was a lot more positive and hungry to play, and that showed I think in the tennis that I did play.’
Former British No.1 Tim Henman told Metro.co.uk in February that Raducanu must aim to play at least 20 tournaments this year as she looks to climb back up the rankings from her current position of world No.288.
