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As the tennis world sets its eyes on the French Open 2025, Emma Raducanu’s appearance at Roland Garros has been cast into serious doubt following a concerning injury update. The 2021 US Open champion, who has shown a resurgence on clay this season, is now facing a critical race against time to regain full fitness after suffering a recurring back spasm.
Troubling injury returns at the worst moment
Raducanu’s back issues resurfaced during her match against Danielle Collins in Strasbourg, where she was forced to contend with painful spasms that ultimately contributed to her defeat. The 22-year-old has been candid about her struggles, acknowledging that her condition is far from ideal just days ahead of her slated French Open match.
“It’s not feeling 100%,” Raducanu admitted when asked about her fitness. “I had a spasm in Strasbourg, and just been trying to manage it as best I can doing treatment.”
Emma Raducanu’s battle behind the scenes
Despite the physical setback, Emma Raducanu is doing everything within her power to stay in contention for Paris. She has been receiving intensive treatment, including dry needling—an approach she initially feared but now embraces due to its effectiveness.
“I’ve been on the practice court last night and this morning. Yeah, it felt okay, but obviously it’s different playing a match,” she explained. “I feel like this one I kind of caught before it fully locked up. So I think the treatment is a lot of it with the physios, a lot of it with heat. Been doing some dry needling where they twitch the needle, like they move it.”
Her dedication is evident, even as she opens up about overcoming her fear of needles in order to push through the pain.
“At the start of the year I was so scared of needles. It was my biggest phobia. That was the only way I was going to be able to play Australia.”
A strong clay season now in limbo
Ironically, the timing of this setback is especially cruel considering Emma Raducanu’s solid performance on clay this year. After opting out of Roland Garros in 2024, she returned in style in 2025 with notable wins at both the Madrid Open and Italian Open. Her confidence and form had been on an upward trajectory—until now.
“I think I’m happy to have put some more time in on the clay this year,” she said, expressing some satisfaction with her recent progress.
Even if she is forced to miss Roland Garros, Emma Raducanu is expected to be one of the headline acts at the upcoming WTA 500 Queen’s Club event in London next month. With grass season around the corner, she may be forced to pivot her focus, but the potential loss of her presence in Paris will surely be felt.
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