Emma Raducanu withdraws from Miami Open with reported lower back injury
Emma Raducanu won back-to-back matches at Indian Wells, the first time she had done that for a year
Britain’s Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from this week’s Miami Open in the United States.
The 21-year-old, who is continuing her comeback from an injury-disrupted 2023 season, is reportedly suffering from a lower back issue.
Raducanu was due to play China’s Wang Xiyu in the first round on Tuesday.
She was beaten in straight sets by Belarusian world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the third round at Indian Wells last week.
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 Wells 12 months ago.
The 2021 US Open champion 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.
Now ranked 288th in the world, Raducanu, who was given a wildcard for the Miami Open, said earlier this month she was “not too concerned” about results, as her focus this year is on developing her game.
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.
