Emma Raducanu provided a worrying injury update following her second-round loss in Strasbourg, admitting she’s been battling a persistent back issue. While the injury update cast doubt on her French Open participation, Raducanu wasted no time, returning to practice in Paris alongside coach Mark Petchey.
Emma Raducanu Trains With Mark Petchey for the French Open Despite Emerging Injury Scare
As mentioned earlier, Raducanu last competed at the Internationaux de Strasbourg and had a great start to her second-round match against Collins, winning the first set 6-4. However, the 22-year-old’s momentum was halted by a back niggle. She took a medical timeout during the second set and ultimately fell to the American, 6-1, 6-3.
The Brit later revealed in her post-match press conference that she frequently experiences these spasms, which she finds frustrating, and expressed hope for a quick recovery.
“It’s annoying, It’s frustrating, and I get these spasms and they are quite intense and can last quite a long time. I’ll just try to make it better,” she added.
Notably, this is the second time Raducanu has struggled with a back issue, having also pulled out of the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year. But despite this, the 2021 US Open champion is looking to compete at the French Open as she was recently seen practicing with her coach, Mark Petchey, in Paris recently.
The former tennis pro turned commentator appeared to share valuable technical advice, particularly on backhand technique, with Raducanu in the practice session. Check the pictures below:
Since her US Open 2021 triumph, Raducanu’s form has declined significantly amid persistent injury struggles. She missed most of the 2023 season and parts of 2024, including the Asian Swing, after retiring mid-match from her Korea Open quarterfinal with a foot injury.
“I Love Hearing What He Has To Say”: Emma Raducanu on Mark Petchey
Raducanu has been without a full-time coach since parting ways with Nick Cavaday in January. Petchey, limited by his broadcasting duties, has worked with her informally since her quarterfinal run in Miami.
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Speaking to the Tennis Channel earlier this month, the World No. 43 shared that she loves following Petchey’s instructions.
“Whereas with him, I love hearing what he has to say, he is very interesting. He has obviously helped me a lot with everything, with the tennis, with the off-court. So yeah, we did some really good work in LA. You know, while he was with TC, and yeah, I am really happy with how it’s kind of going,” she said.
Raducanu has yet to win a title this season, with her best being a quarterfinal finish at the Miami Open. The Brit, who currently holds a 12-10 win-loss record, will start her French Open campaign against Wang Xinyu on Sunday, May 25.
