Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Miami Open due to a lower back injury. She was supposed to compete in the first round against China’s Wang Xiyu on Tuesday as part of her comeback in the tournament, which is being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Raducanu’s withdrawal follows her recent defeat at Indian Wells, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the third round with a score of 6-3, 7-5. Notably, Raducanu has yet to secure a victory against a top-10 player on the WTA Tour.
Emma Raducanu, the former US Open champion, faced a straight-sets defeat against world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at the Miami Open.
This marked her first consecutive matches since reaching the last 16 of the same tournament last year. Raducanu, ranked 250th globally, received a wildcard entry for the Miami Open after an eight-month hiatus due to wrist and ankle surgeries.
Despite her return, uncertainty looms over her participation in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against France, scheduled for April 12-13. Captain Anne Keothavong affirmed a “full-strength team,” including British No. 1 Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, and Heather Watson.
The tie will determine progression to the Billie Jean King Cup finals, with the match played on indoor clay, mirroring the surface of the following week’s tournament in Stuttgart, which Raducanu was likely to participate in, given her sponsorship with Porsche.
However, her involvement now remains in question, considering her recent setback. Last year, Raducanu exited in the first round, contrasting with her quarter-final appearance in 2022.
