'It can be frustrating' - Emma Raducanu 'managing' back issue as she prepares for grass court season at Queen's

Emma Raducanu will make her first appearance of the grass court season this week, as she plays at the HSBC Championships at Queen's. However, the 22-year-old's build-up to the tournament has not gone to plan, thanks to suffering another back spasm. The British No. 2 admits the issue has "interrupted" her court time, while admitting "it can be frustrating" as she looks to manage the issue.

Emma Raducanu has revealed her preparations for the grass court season have been "interrupted" by another back spasm.

The problem first flared up in Strasbourg last month, when the British No. 2 required treatment during a second-round defeat to Danielle Collins.

The 22-year-old was still able to participate in the French Open, where she was comprehensively beaten by Iga Swiatek in their second-round meeting.

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That meant she could head back to the UK early, with a view to getting some extra time on the grass.

However, the plan has not played out as Raducanu hoped, as she was forced to take some time off.

"I got back last week and then I got straight back on the court," she said.

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"I had a small interruption with a bit of a back spasm again, which was a bit annoying and that hindered my grass prep.

"But the last few days I have managed to get on the grass."

Raducanu will be back in competitive action this week, when she takes part in the HSBC Championships at Queen's.

She has been drawn against a qualifier in the first round, with a victory potentially setting up a clash with last year's Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova.

Raducanu during practice at Queen's on Sunday

Image credit: Getty Images

It is the first time that the London venue has hosted a women's event since 1973, with Ann Jones the last British female to lift the trophy in 1969.

With its new slot in the women's tennis calendar, Queen's will play a key role in the build-up to Wimbledon, which begins on June 30.

But Raducanu remains cautious over her fitness, as she continued: "I can’t really predict the future. I know I have been managing my back for the last few weeks now and it’s something that comes and goes.

"It can be frustrating. I try not to let it get to me because I have a pretty good feel when it happens of how to manage it. All I can do is deal with what’s in front of me.

"Today was the first day I opened it up and played points on the grass. It is pretty early days and I can’t say I have had a lot of prep on it. But I felt pretty good today."

The former US Open champion is also set to link up with fellow Brit Katie Boulter in the women's doubles tournament.

It will be the first time the Billie Jean Cup team-mates have played together competitively.

Raducanu believes the extra match practice will be vital as she builds up to the third Grand Slam of the year, the place where she made her breakthrough by reaching the fourth round in 2021.

"Playing a doubles match with Katie will hopefully give me a good feel for that surface and it will be positive," she added.

"I really like playing with Katie. We’ve practised a few times together in the past at Billie Jean King Cup ties."

Watson joins British contingent

There will be plenty of Brits on show when Queen's gets underway on Monday.

The WTA 500 event, for which Laura Robson is the tournament director, has handed wildcards to four British players, including Raducanu.

She is joined by Fran Jones, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage, with the latter two also pairing up in the women's doubles.

Boulter is the only British player to qualify for the event through her ranking.

And a sixth name has been added to the quintet, thanks to Heather Watson coming through qualifying.

The 33-year-old was tasked with winning two matches on Sunday to book her place in the main draw.

And she duly came past Ena Shibahara (6-1 5-7 6-4) and Zeynep Sonmez (6-0 6-3).

The former British No. 1 will now be part of a stacked field that also includes former Wimbledon champions Petra Kvitova and Elena Rybakina.

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