Raducanu’s Back Spasm Setback
Emma Raducanu, newly reinstated as British No. 1, suffered a significant setback when she withdrew from the 2025 Berlin Open (June 16–22) due to recurring back spasms, casting doubt on her Wimbledon preparation (June 30–July 13), per Tennis365. The 22-year-old, who reached the Queen’s Club quarter-finals, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-4, 6-1, saw her ranking rise to No. 36, overtaking Katie Boulter, per The Guardian. However, the injury, which also disrupted her French Open buildup, forced her to skip Berlin, risking her momentum and potential Wimbledon seeding, per @DExpress_Sport. Raducanu’s history of injuries—wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023 and a 2024 foot ligament issue—heightens concerns, though she plans to return for Eastbourne, per Daily Mail. Her camp remains cautious, with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura focusing on long-term resilience, per Ayr Advertiser.
Boulter’s Online Abuse Ordeal
Katie Boulter, now ranked No. 39 after losing her British No. 1 spot to Raducanu, revealed the extent of “vile” online abuse she faces, including death threats and explicit messages, often from bettors, in a June 16 interview with The Times, per Express. The harassment, which includes threats like “I’m going to hurt you” and wishes for her to “get cancer,” escalates after losses, such as her Queen’s Club second-round defeat to Diana Shnaider (2-6, 6-3, 6-2), per Motociclismo. Boulter, who also faced a 2024 stalking incident with fiancée Alex de Minaur, limits social media to cope, stating, “It’s not worth it,” per The Guardian. She urged for stronger protections, aligning with sentiments on X, like @LoEl81’s post decrying gamblers’ threats, per @LoEl81.
Shared Context and Support
Both players, who partnered as “Boultercanu” in Queen’s Club doubles, losing 6-2, 7-5 to top seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe, maintain a supportive friendship despite their rivalry, per GB News. Boulter praised Raducanu’s return, saying, “She’s back where she belongs,” after their Billie Jean King Cup wins in November 2024, per Telegraph. Raducanu’s withdrawal from Berlin gives Boulter a chance to reclaim the No. 1 ranking at Nottingham, where she’s a two-time champion, per Tennis365. Their healthy competition, as Boulter noted—“It’s fun to chase her now”—fuels British tennis, per The Mirror.
