Emma Raducanu has declared she will compete at Wimbledon despite battling back problems that contributed to her second-round defeat at the Eastbourne Open on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old British No 1 fell to Australian teenager Maya Joint 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 in what will be her final match before the Championships begin at SW19.
When asked whether she might miss the Grand Slam due to her physical struggles, Raducanu was adamant: "No, I think I will step on the court regardless."
The former US Open champion has been managing recurring back issues throughout the season, having experienced spasms before both the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year.
Emma Raducanu has declared she will compete at Wimbledon despite battling back problems that contributed to her second-round defeat at the Eastbourne Open on Wednesday
REUTERS
She withdrew from last week's Berlin Open following a recurrence of the problem at Queen's Club and has been receiving acupuncture treatment whilst taking tablets to manage the pain this week.
"I've just been managing it but hopefully I can recover. I still have a few days before Wimbledon so I'm looking forward to kind of recovering, and hopefully it settles," Raducanu explained.
"I would say it bothers me. I wouldn't say I can't move. Like a lot of athletes, we all carry something that we're managing and playing through, but I'd just say that it's okay."
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Emma Raducanu was knocked out of Eastbourne by Maya Joint on Wednesday
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Despite the discomfort, Raducanu remains optimistic about her ability to perform at the All England Club.
"I can play, and I can still put out some pretty decent tennis in the situation," she stated.
"I am going to rest tomorrow, just take it day by day. Get some practice in.
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"I think it could be a blessing in disguise, having some rest right now, I think I'm looking forward to heading back and then getting on the grass at Wimbledon."
Raducanu's determination comes despite what she described as receiving "some pretty bad news" earlier in the week, though she declined to elaborate on its nature.
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Her emotional first-round victory over Ann Li on Tuesday, during which she cried on court, preceded the disappointing loss to Joint, who prevented Raducanu from serving out the match three times before securing victory.
The former world number 10 is working with part-time coach Mark Petchey and had LTA chief fitness coach Ian Aylward in her player box during the tournament.
Emma Raducanu is trying to stay positive as Wimbledon 2025 rapidly approaches
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Raducanu reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, equalling her 2021 performance and marking her best Grand Slam run since her triumph at Flushing Meadows four years ago.
Fellow Briton Jodie Burrage also exited Eastbourne on Wednesday, losing to defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in a third-set tiebreak after failing to convert match points.
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