Emma Raducanu withdraws from Miami Open with lower back injury

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Miami Open with a lower back injury – but her management company say the issue is “nothing serious”.

The 21-year-old was due to face China’s Wang Xiyu in the first round on Tuesday.

However, she does not want to risk aggravating the injury by playing in the tournament in the United States.

It is a blow to Raducanu’s comeback following an injury-disrupted 2023 season.

“I have been experiencing lower back pain and at this stage of my return to competition I don’t want to risk anything happening,” Raducanu said in a statement issued by tournament organisers.

“I really tried my best to be ready and I’m sad to be pulling out of Miami as it’s a cool tournament, but wish the event all the best.“

The 2021 US Open champion was beaten in straight sets by world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the third round at Indian Wells last week.

It is not known whether the injury will impact Raducanu’s selection in Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup squad for their qualifying-round tie with France from 12-13 April.

Before her defeat by two-time Australian Open winner Sabalenka, Raducanu had recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since winning three in a row at Indian Wells 12 months ago.

She made her return to the tour in January following an eight-month absence, during which she had operations on both of her wrists and her left ankle.

Now ranked 288th in the world, Raducanu – who was given a wildcard for the Miami Open – said earlier this month she was “not too concerned” about results as her focus this year is on developing her game.

Meanwhile, Britons Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, Jack Draper and Katie Boulter are preparing to start their tournaments in Miami.

Murray, a two-time winner in Florida, will face Italian Matteo Berrettini in the first round on Wednesday, with the winner taking on Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.

Draper, 22, takes on Taro Daniel of Japan, while 33-year-old Evans faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

British number ones Norrie and Boulter play on Friday, as the pair have both received first-round byes as two of the 32 men’s and women’s seeded players.