“I’ve just been managing it” – Emma Raducanu gets honest about her injury status ahead of Wimbledon after early exit at Bad Homburg
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and World No. 38, has provided a candid update on her persistent back injury following her withdrawal from the Bad Homburg Open, a WTA 500 event, before the tournament began on June 16, 2025, due to recurring back spasms. In a press conference after her second-round loss to Maya Joint at the Eastbourne Open on June 25, 2025 (4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4)), Raducanu admitted, “I’ve just been managing it,” acknowledging the ongoing challenge of her back condition as she prepares for Wimbledon, starting June 30, 2025. Despite the setback, she remains determined to compete at SW19, stating, “I think I will step on the court regardless,” per *The Mirror*.[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-fitness-wimbledon-update-35453122)
Raducanu’s back issues, which first flared up before the Australian Open and worsened at the Strasbourg Open in May 2025, forced her to pull out of Bad Homburg after a medical timeout during her Queen’s Club quarterfinal loss to Qinwen Zheng (6-2, 6-4) on June 13. “I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it’s just been on and off,” she told *The Standard*, noting that the increased load from five matches at Queen’s, including doubles, aggravated the injury. She’s been working with physio Matt Little, formerly Andy Murray’s trainer, using acupuncture, taping, and muscle stimulation, but admitted, “It needs a lot of work and it is up and down,” per *SportsTak*.[](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-injury-update-wimbledon-b1232913.html)[](https://thesportstak.com/tennis/story/emma-raducanu-dealt-with-pretty-bad-news-leaving-her-wimbledon-2025-plans-in-jeopardy-3182951-2025-06-25)
Despite the physical strain, Raducanu showed resilience in Eastbourne, rallying from 5-2 down in the third set against Joint, though she couldn’t secure the win. “I’m just trying to manage it as best as I can,” she said, emphasizing that while the injury bothers her, it doesn’t prevent her from playing, allowing her to produce “pretty decent tennis” under the circumstances. Her first-round Eastbourne win over Ann Li (6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1) was emotional, with Raducanu citing “pretty bad news” unrelated to her injury, which she kept private.[](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tennis/emma-raducanu-makes-wimbledon-vow-amid-lingering-injury/)[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cy4yv73919do)
With Wimbledon days away, Raducanu plans to rest and recover, viewing her early Eastbourne exit as a potential “blessing in disguise” for extra preparation time. Her history at Wimbledon—reaching the fourth round in 2021 and 2024—fuels her determination, despite missing 2023 due to wrist and ankle surgeries. Fans on X, like @PakPassionSport, express concern over her fitness, but her resolve to compete as a wildcard, supported by coach Mark Petchey and fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, keeps her focused on a strong showing at the All England Club.
