As the grass courts of London’s iconic Queen’s Club prepare to host the inaugural WTA 500 HSBC Championships from June 9 to 15, 2025, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is grappling with a familiar foe: injury. The 22-year-old British star, now ranked No. 41, revealed a troubling recurrence of back spasms that have disrupted her preparations for this historic event, the first women’s tournament at Queen’s in over half a century. Despite the setbacks, Raducanu’s resolve remains unshaken, her sights set on competing on home soil and reclaiming the British No. 1 ranking from Katie Boulter. “It can be frustrating,” she admitted, reflecting on the persistent back issue that has plagued her since the Australian Open preparations in January. Yet, her determination to push through and embrace the challenge underscores a narrative of resilience and ambition.
The back spasms first surfaced during a second-round loss to Danielle Collins in Strasbourg, just before the French Open, and flared up again after her return from Paris, where she fell to Iga Swiatek in the second round. “I got back, like, end of last week, and then I had two days off after I finished in Paris and then got straight back on the court,” Raducanu explained. The latest spasm, her second in three weeks, forced a “small interruption” in her grass-court training, limiting her to just two or three days on the surface. “I played points for the first time today,” she noted, highlighting the curtailed preparation that has left her with “pretty low” expectations for the tournament. Despite this, Raducanu remains optimistic, drawing on her experience managing the injury: “I try not to let it get me because I have a pretty good feel overall of when it happens, what to do and how to manage it.”
The Queen’s Club Championships, with a star-studded field including Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, and Australian Open winner Madison Keys, offer Raducanu a chance to shine in front of a home crowd. She faces a qualifier, Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, in the first round on Tuesday, with a potential second-round clash against Krejcikova looming. “Of course I want to win this tournament, like every tournament, but especially when it’s at home,” Raducanu declared, her passion for competing in London palpable. The event’s significance is amplified by its £1 million prize pool, though it remains half that of the men’s ATP 500 event. When asked about the Lawn Tennis Association’s pledge for equal prize money by 2029, Raducanu sidestepped the debate: “I’m sure a lot of players will say their piece on it, but I just prefer not to get involved and just whatever the situation is, I’ll roll with it.”
Adding intrigue to her campaign, Raducanu is teaming up with British No. 1 Katie Boulter for a doubles partnership, their first competitive outing together despite past practice sessions at Billie Jean King Cup ties. “I’m quite nervous because I haven’t played doubles and I haven’t really practised doubles,” Raducanu confessed, adding with a smile, “I’m just going to hope that Katie tells me what to do. I’m good at taking directions.” This collaboration not only offers a chance to gain valuable grass-court experience but also fuels the friendly rivalry for the British No. 1 ranking. Boulter, who overtook Raducanu in June 2023, faces a 250-point deduction from her 2024 Nottingham Open title, while Raducanu defends 98 points from her semi-final run. A strong performance at Queen’s could see Raducanu reclaim the top British spot, with her current 1,389 points edging closer to Boulter’s 1,516.
Raducanu’s grass-season preparations are bolstered by a revamped support team. After a turbulent coaching history, she has reunited with childhood coach Nick Cavaday, who returned after stepping away in January due to health issues, and continues to work with Mark Petchey, who is currently commentating in Paris. “I’m happy to see him healthy first of all,” Raducanu said of Cavaday, noting their first on-court reunion since Australia. “I trust them both a lot.” The addition of renowned trainer Yutaka Nakamura, formerly with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, aims to fortify her physical resilience, a critical factor given her injury history, which includes wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023 and a foot ligament strain last year.
Off the court, Raducanu’s challenges extend beyond physical ailments. A stalking incident in Dubai in February left her “wary” in public, compounding the pressures of her high-profile career. Yet, she finds solace in London’s familiarity: “I love going for walks, like knowing where everything is and also just being able to switch off and detach.” As she steps onto the Queen’s Club courts, Raducanu carries the weight of expectation and a body tested by recurring injuries, but her spirit remains unbroken. “I know I’m a dangerous player,” she asserted, a reminder of the talent that propelled her to Grand Slam glory. With Wimbledon on the horizon, Raducanu’s journey at Queen’s is a high-stakes test of endurance, skill, and heart.
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