Emma Raducanu’s back ailment is “not serious,” according to representatives. Aryna Sabalenka defeated Brit in the
third round at Indian Wells, 6-3, 7-5. The Miami Open runs from March 17 to March 31 and can be watched live on
Sky Sports
The 21-year-old, who received a wild card to the renowned WTA competition, was scheduled to face China’s Wang
Xiyu in the first round on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports.
Raducanu, however, withdrew due to soreness in her lower back, as the Kent star refused to take any chances.
Raducanu was eliminated from Indian Wells after being defeated 6-3, 7-5 by Aryna Sabalenka in the third round,
and she has yet to win against a top-10 player on the WTA Tour.
The former US Open champion went down battling, losing in straight sets to world No. 2 Sabalenka, who had won
consecutive matches for the first time since reaching the last 16 of the same tournament the previous year.
Raducanu has been practicing with her childhood coach, Nick Cavaday, after returning from an eight-month layoff
due to wrist and ankle surgeries.
The 21-year-old, rated 250th in the world, was set to return to action at the Miami Open after receiving a wildcard to
compete in the 1000-person tournament.
Raducanu was named to Great Britain’s squad for the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup qualification round against France
on April 12-13, however her participation is currently doubtful.
Captain Anne Keothavong insisted on fielding a “full-strength team” that comprised British number one Katie
Boulter, Harriet Dart, and Heather Watson.
The winner of the best-of-five match will go to the Billie Jean King Cup finals later this year, while the losing nation
will compete in the play-offs.
The tie will be contested on indoor clay in Le Portel, the same surface as the next week’s tournament in Stuttgart,
where Raducanu was expected to compete because it is organized by Porsche, one of her sponsors, but her presence
is now doubtful.
She lost in the first round last year, but in 2022, she advanced to the quarterfinals.
