The new tennis season is here, and the buzz is electric! Fans and players alike are gearing up for a thrilling ride as the competition heats up. While many players are ready to take the courts by storm, not everyone is stepping into the season without hurdles. One such name is Emma Raducanu, who has dropped a bombshell decision ahead of her next season, that’s sent shockwaves through the tennis community.

The British tennis sensation wrapped up her year after representing Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup and winning all five matches she played at the venue. While her team could not clinch the title, her performance mesmerized her fans with expectations soaring high about her 2025 season. However, destiny had other plans for her. Despite practicing elegantly and looking forward to participating in the ASB Classic, Raducanu has now decided to withdraw from the tournament owing to a back injury. 

Sharing an update regarding the same, the star player said, “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.” Remember, Raducanu was scheduled to face Robin Montgomery of the United States, later today. While this is a concerning update for her, fans are not shying away from taking sharp digs at Raducanu.

Several users took to X and expressed their disappointment over Raducanu’s decision highlighting how it can pose a negative challenge for her in the long run. Some people, in fact, questioned her team as well, asking if the preparations were done without taking proper precautions.

Emma Raducanu in hot waters over her decision

Taking to X, a user surprisingly questioned, “Back injury? But she has not played yet, and she is just coming from off season 🤔” Emma Raducanu has faced quite a lot of challenges in 2024, especially around her health. She managed to play only 14 tournaments this season, besides the BJK Cup. At the Korea Open, she withdrew after suffering a foot injury during her quarterfinal clash against Daria Kasatkina which also forced her to pull out from several other tournaments during the Asian Swing as well. Now, as she faces injury woes again, fans fail to control their disappointment.

Responding to her announcement, another user wrote, “wdym raducanu is injured again.” Remember, Raducanu lifted the US Open title in 2021. However, she failed to dominate the courts in a similar fashion, a major reason for which can be attributed to her health. She also took a long hiatus from the courts last year after surgeries on both wrists and one ankle. With her health concerns now extending to yet another season, resentments have continued to grow against Raducanu and more such reactions continued to follow. 

“When is this girl ever healthy??!! Everyday injuries. She needs to take proper time out.” wrote another user sharing their surprise. Interestingly, right ahead of the 2025 season, Raducanu expressed her excitement about returning to the courts and shared that she does not feel like taking more rest, especially after staying away following her injuries at the Korean Open. “I feel like I have had four, five weeks off tennis, and I don’t really need any more time off,” she said adding that she was “itching”  to play again soon. However, her struggles seem to be far from over, disappointing not just the Brit but her fans as well. 

One more user joined the fray and questioned if her new fitness coach, Yutaka Nakamura, had been making her engage in advanced training without proper training. “I see Raducanu’s new fitness coach Nakamura is off to a flying start. Have these people not heard of cat cow exercises?” the user wrote, suggesting the pair should resort to beginner-level exercises given the challenges that Raducanu has faced recently. Remember, Raducanu confirmed her partnership with Nakamura earlier this month and shared that she wishes to make remarkable progress under his guidance.

“I think he is going to help me just really explore how far I can go athletically” Emma Raducanu had remarked earlier. But with her decision to withdraw from Auckland, her partnership is also coming under scrutiny from the fans. 

Yet another user echoed disappointment and wrote, “At this point this is just ridiculous 💔.” Now, as the season evolves,  it will be crucial to see when exactly Raducanu will be back to action and if she manages to make this health challenge her last of the new season.