Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has once again found herself at the center of tennis discussions after withdrawing from the WTA 500 Berlin Open due to a persistent back injury. The 22-year-old British star, who has shown flashes of brilliance in her 2025 season, was expected to build on her recent success at the Queen’s Club Championships, where she reached the quarterfinals before falling to China’s Qinwen Zheng in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. However, her decision to pull out of Berlin, a key grass-court event in the lead-up to Wimbledon, has reignited concerns about her injury-plagued career. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, a vocal supporter of Raducanu, offered his candid perspective on her latest setback during an episode of his *Served* podcast, expressing both empathy and a lack of surprise. “I don’t know, I say this sensitively, when I hear this, I think it’s just her thing,” Roddick remarked, highlighting the recurring pattern of withdrawals that have defined much of Raducanu’s journey since her historic Grand Slam triumph.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a tale of resilience and frustration. After a challenging 2023 that saw her ranking plummet outside the top 300 due to injuries, she has clawed her way back to world No. 39, her highest ranking since her breakout year. Her standout performances include a WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Miami, where she defeated top players like Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova, and a strong clay-court swing with wins at all four tournaments she entered. At Queen’s, Raducanu showed glimpses of her championship pedigree, dispatching Cristina Bucșa and Rebecca Šramková before her loss to Zheng. Yet, her back issues flared up during that match, compounded by Zheng’s frequent breaks to change rackets and shoes, which Raducanu admitted disrupted her rhythm. “I’m not sure what I can do in those moments, to be honest,” she said post-match. “It happened three times on my service game. I think, you know, it’s not ideal, but the umpire makes his call.”
Roddick, while sympathetic, emphasized the context of Raducanu’s injury history, which includes retirements and withdrawals from tournaments like the 2021 Wimbledon (breathing difficulties), 2022 Italian Open (back injury), 2023 Madrid Open (wrist injury), and 2024 Korea Open (foot injury). “I think she just needs to feel physically almost perfect to have a go at it,” he noted, contrasting his own approach of rushing back from injuries, which often prolonged recovery. Roddick praised Raducanu’s 2025 consistency, stating, “Let’s level set. Outside of one tournament, this is her best year so far, consistently. She’s playing every week, winning matches every week.” His co-host, Jon Wertheim, echoed this sentiment, adding, “I think, context and given her track record, it’s not surprising.” Wertheim pointed out Raducanu’s climb to the top 40, suggesting she could be seeded at Wimbledon if her recovery allows.
The Berlin withdrawal underscores a broader challenge for Raducanu: balancing her physical health with the demands of a grueling WTA schedule. Her decision to skip the event reflects a cautious approach to ensure she’s fit for Wimbledon, her home Grand Slam, where she reached the fourth round in 2024. Roddick, a self-professed fan, expressed frustration with her past scheduling choices, like opting out of qualifiers for tournaments like the 2024 Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters, especially when compared to Naomi Osaka’s willingness to compete in qualifiers. “I loved what she was building through Washington and then she decided she wasn’t going to play qualifiers,” he said previously, highlighting the missed opportunity to build momentum. Yet, he remains optimistic about her potential, particularly with her recent collaboration with coach Mark Petchey, whose relaxed approach in Miami helped Raducanu look “like a top 10 player.”
Raducanu’s injury struggles are compounded by off-court challenges, including a high turnover of coaches—seven in three years—and the loss of a £3 million-a-year Vodafone sponsorship after reportedly demanding more money. Despite these setbacks, her competitive spirit remains undeniable. After her Miami run, she spoke of rediscovering her fire, saying, “The biggest thing I’m proud of is just finding the competitive spirit and being there for every ball.” As Wimbledon approaches, where she’s set to face a tough field including Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, Raducanu’s focus is on recovery and consistency. Roddick’s hope, shared by many fans, is that she can harness her talent and “authentic way” of playing, as praised by his former coach Rick Macci, to reclaim her place among the elite. For now, the tennis world watches anxiously, rooting for the British star to overcome her physical hurdles and shine on the grass courts of SW19.
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