Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, faced a significant setback in her goal to secure a top-32 seeding for Wimbledon 2025, starting June 30, after a back injury forced her withdrawal from the Berlin Open (June 16–22) following a quarter-final loss to Qinwen Zheng at Queen’s Club on June 13, 2025 (6-2, 6-4). Despite this blow, Raducanu expressed a pragmatic and optimistic outlook, emphasizing long-term development over immediate seeding advantages and outlining her approach to managing her recurring back issues.
Raducanu’s Reaction to the Seeding Setback
After her Queen’s defeat, Raducanu acknowledged the missed opportunity to break into the top 32, which would have protected her from early clashes with top players at Wimbledon. However, she reframed her priorities, stating, “I think being seeded obviously helps in Masters, helps in Slams… But maybe my goals have slightly shifted from being seeded to actually improving my game,” per Express. She added, “I’d rather have a more competitive match, even if that means losing first round, second round,” highlighting her focus on closing the gap against elite players rather than relying on seeding, per Express. This shift reflects her maturity, as she aims to build resilience and competitiveness, especially after a 3–9 career record against top-10 opponents, per Wikipedia.
Back Injury Concerns and Management
Raducanu’s back injury, which flared up during her Queen’s match—requiring a medical timeout and painkillers—has been a lingering issue since before the Australian Open in January 2025 and worsened at Strasbourg in April, per The Independent. She described it as “annoying” and a “vulnerability,” saying, “It’s been lingering for the last few weeks… I know I need to take good care of it. I’m not overly concerned that it’s something serious, but it needs proper and careful management,” per Sportskeeda. Her decision to skip Berlin was precautionary, with hopes of competing at the Lexus Eastbourne Open (June 23–28), per The Independent. Raducanu’s candid admission, “I’ve played five matches in a pretty short amount of time. I’m probably feeling that,” underscores the physical toll of her Queen’s singles and doubles schedule, per Express.
Optimism for Wimbledon and Beyond
Despite the injury and unseeded status, Raducanu remains confident in her grass-court prowess, bolstered by her 2024 Wimbledon fourth-round run and top-10 wins over Jessica Pegula (Eastbourne) and Maria Sakkari (Wimbledon), per WTA Tennis. She told the BBC post-Queen’s, “I’m not fazed… There are positives to my situation,” emphasizing her belief that facing top players early could accelerate her growth, per Express. Her recent work with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, previously with Maria Sharapova, signals a commitment to staying healthier, a goal she reiterated: “I’m looking forward to staying on court longer next year,” per Outlook India. X posts, like @TimesSport, noted her need for “proper and careful management” of her back, reflecting fan concern but also support for her resilience, per.
Looking Ahead
Raducanu’s unseeded status at Wimbledon risks early matchups with players like Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff, but her 2024 grass-court form—reaching Nottingham semi-finals and Eastbourne quarter-finals—makes her a dangerous floater, per WTA Tennis. Her withdrawal from Berlin, while a blow, aligns with her cautious approach to avoid the “injury hell” of 2023, when surgeries sidelined her for eight months, per GB News. By prioritizing Eastbourne and Wimbledon preparation, Raducanu aims to leverage her home crowd support, which she called “special” in 2024, to make a deep run, per LTA. Her clear-headed focus on improvement over seeding bodes well for her long-term career trajectory.
