Raducanu withdraws from WTA 250 Auckland tournament

Emma Raducanu's 2025 season was due to kick off in New Zealand.

Announced as part of the line-up for the Auckland tournament, the Briton finally withdrew from her scheduled opener this Tuesday against Robin Montgomery.

The 2021 US Open champion is the second former Grand Slam winner to announce her withdrawal from the tournament, after Simona Halep.

To justify her decision, the 22-year-old cited a back injury. Not the ideal preparation for the Australian Open for Raducanu, who was beaten in the 2nd round last year in Melbourne.

Mai Hontama replaced Raducanu in the draw. Montgomery eventually won 6-3, 2-6, 6-0 and will face another Japanese player in the next round, Nao Hibino.