Emma Raducanu to sit out Berlin Open in a bid to ease back concerns
The 22-year-old has been struggling with the issue since competing in Strasbourg last month before the French Open and took an off-court medical timeout during her quarter-final loss to Zheng Qinwen at Queen's Club on Friday.
Speaking afterwards, Raducanu said: 'It's been lingering for the last few weeks, and I have had back issues before. I think it's just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it.
'I'm not overly concerned that it's something serious, but I know it's something that's very annoying and needs proper and careful management.'
A post shared by @emmaraducanu
Raducanu had elected to play in the German capital rather than Nottingham after being offered a wild card into the WTA 500 event, which is set to feature nine of the world's top 10.
But the former US Open champion will instead prioritise rest and recovery to ensure she is fully fit for Wimbledon.
Raducanu's decision means she will miss out on being seeded for her home grand slam but she is understood to be confident of playing in the Lexus Eastbourne Open the week before Wimbledon.
Last year, Raducanu claimed the first victory of her career over a top-10 player by defeating Jessica Pegula on the south coast before going on to make the fourth round at the All England Club.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy under fire after US Open interview as golf fans have their say
Rory McIlroy hasn't always had the best relationship with the media as fans have criticised the Northern Irishman for his comments during the US Open Golf ace Rory McIlroy 's remarks following his latest US Open stint have sparked a flurry of debate among fans and pundits alike. The five-time major winner, who avoided journalists after the opening rounds, broke his silence speaking to the press after seven long championship rounds across major tournaments. McIlroy, fresh from his Masters triumph, spoke frankly about his tribulations at the Pennsylvania course. Not only did he express hesitation about continuing past Friday's round, but he also stoked controversy by stating that he has "earned the right" to select when he engages with media outlets. This candidness stirred a reaction on social media; some golf enthusiasts dubbed McIlroy's attitude as brashness, while others slung harsher words calling him a "Complete loser" and "So unlikable." Nevertheless, it wasn't all criticism thrown at the Northern Irish pro, as some supporters came to his defence. Amidst the backlash, a supporter argued, recognising McIlroy's slate of achievements including his career grand slam. "I'm not even a huge fan of Rory but people need to give this dude a break. He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. He's one a few players alive with a grand slam in his pocket. Let the man be," reports the Mirror US. The European Ryder Cup hero has been making headlines not just for his swings but also for his silence. Last month at the PGA Championship, he made a statement by refusing to speak after each round at Quail Hollow. This followed the revelation that McIlroy had to switch clubs just before the major tournament began because his driver face didn't pass a routine USGA check. When probed about whether the drama over his non-conforming driver influenced his media blackout, he admitted: "I mean, that was a part of it. Yeah, that was a part of it. "But it's not as if -- like at Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday, so yeah, again, it's not as if it's not out of the ordinary. I've done it before; I'm just doing it a little more often." McIlroy has faced a challenging time on the course at Oakmont, with even the world's top players struggling against the punishing conditions. On Friday, the 36-year-old had to pull off two late birdies just to stay above the cut line. When asked about his close shave on Saturday, McIlroy candidly said: "It's funny, like it's much easier being on the cut line when you don't really care if you're here for the weekend or not." McIlroy seemed to be looking forward to a swift departure from the championship, saying: "I was sort of thinking, do I really want two more days here or not. So it makes it easier to play better when you're in that mindset." He added: "Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here," indicating his desire to wrap up his final round quickly on Sunday, with an early tee time awaiting him as he sits at 10-over with 18 holes remaining.
The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
Jannik Sinner rocked by ‘tough' French Open final loss
Jannik Sinner admits struggling to move past missed opportunities in his French Open loss to Carlos Alcaraz, despite leading by two sets and holding three match points. Alcaraz and Sinner are set to compete in the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club and the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, respectively, following their Roland Garros final. Sinner acknowledges the 'tough loss' but focuses on the positives, highlighting his strong clay-court performances in Rome and Paris. Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, both preparing for Wimbledon, will compete in the Boss Open final in Stuttgart. Fritz's performance this week ensures he will regain his position as the world number four, surpassing Jack Draper and Novak Djokovic in the rankings. Jannik Sinner 'still thinks' about French Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz
Scottish Sun
18 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘It's more frustration with you guys' – Rory McIlroy explains skipping media in tense interview after US Open nightmare
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RORY MCILORY insists he's "earned the right to do whatever I want to do" after snubbing the press after his first two US Open Rounds. The Masters champion declined to speak to the world's media after his first two rounds at Oakmont in an apparent response to the coverage of his use of an illegal driver at last month's PGA Championship. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Roy McIlory refused to speak to the media after his firs two rounds at the US Open Credit: EPA 4 The Northern Irishman was seemingly frustrated at the media's coverage of his use of an illegal driver at the PGA Championship Credit: GETTY 4 The 36-year-old vented his frustrations with the media after his third round on Saturday Credit: SKY SPORTS The 36-year-old eventually spoke with the press after his four-over 74 round on Saturday and didn't hold back in his first post-round interview since Augusta. He said of his brief blackout: "It's just frustration with you guys [some sections of the media]. "I have been totally available for the past number of years. "That [driver issue] was a part of it, but at Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday. READ MORE ON RORY MCILROY DRIVEN MAD McIlroy launches club and smashes tee box as Sky Sports commentators disgusted It's not out of the ordinary as I've done it before, but I am doing it a little more often. "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do." McIlroy's form has fallen off a cliff since sealing his career Grand Slam in April. He looked certain to miss the cut — like defending champion Bryson DeChambeau and plenty of other big names — until he conjured two birdies in the last four holes of his second round. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Inside Rory McIlroy's whirlwind love life RORY MCILROY enjoyed a high-profile romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014. The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, who he had first met on the PGA Tour in 2011. Erica often interacted with players through her role as the PGA's manager of championship volunteer operations. She even prevented McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone. The incident began a firm friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic. McIlroy and Erica were spotted on a string of dates in Rochester, New York, in the early days of their relationship. Just eight months later, the couple got engaged in Paris and walked down the aisle at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017. The pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later. Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica have kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to protect his family from the cameras during filming of Netflix's Full Swing documentary series. However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica. The reasons for the divorce were not disclosed, but the Northern Irishman submitted documents to a court in Florida. However, a few weeks later, performed a U-turn on their decision to divorce. McIlroy told the outlet: "Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.' And McIlory admitted his lack of motivation is so bad that he would not have worried if he had missed the cut. He said: 'I was thinking, 'Do I really want two more days here?'. So it makes it easier to play better in that mindset. Rory McIlroy reacts to PGA Championship delay 'You don't know how you're going to react to something like my Masters win — something I'd dreamt about for a long time. And, yeah, I have felt a little flat on the golf course afterwards. 'I actually feel I've played OK this week. It's a golf course where the tiniest mistakes get penalised.' Given his mindset, it is no surprise McIlroy's faint US Open hopes vanished with a whimper rather than a roar. A four-over-par 74 kept the Northern Irishman among the back markers, and in this mood, he will do well to improve on his 47th-place finish at the USPGA a few weeks ago. At times, it has looked as if McIlroy has been going through the motions since Augusta, especially when he finished 149th out of 153 finishers in the Canadian Open last week. Sadly, Oakmont has proved another example of McIlroy playing without his usual drive and desire. It was hard to avoid the suspicion that he set out yesterday knowing he was unlikely to make significant inroads on the nine-shot gap that separated him from 36-hole leader Sam Burns — especially on a front nine that has proved a minefield for the world No 2. McIlroy played the opening stretch in NINE OVER PAR over the first two days, while shooting three under on the back nine. The front nine is the tougher half — but not that much harder. I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do." Rory McIlory on his brief media blackout Marc Leishman and Corey Conners, in the groups just behind McIlroy, underlined that fact by both playing the first nine holes in three under yesterday, although both found it much tougher after the turn. McIlroy needed a fast start to round three to have any chance of a miracle fightback, but a bogey on the third meant he was quickly heading in the wrong direction. Another shot went at the ninth and even though he finally made his first birdie at the tenth, he gave it straight back by finding a bunker on the 11th. A rueful shrug of the shoulders was the only reaction when he missed a tiddler for par at the 14th. And another shot went with a three-putt on the 16th. The relatively easy 17th, where he demolished the tee marker 24 hours earlier, yielded a second birdie. Almost inevitably, that shot was handed back at the last, dropping the five-time Major winner to ten over. Asked what he was hoping for in his final round, McIlroy added: "Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here."
