Emma Raducanu’s preparations for the Australian Open have hit another setback as the 22-year-old British star withdrew from the Auckland Classic on Tuesday due to a back injury.

Raducanu, ranked 56th, described the injury as a “back niggle” and will now head to Melbourne to focus on rehabilitation ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 12.

“I’ve tried my best to be ready. I love Auckland and the fans here,” Raducanu shared. “But unfortunately, I’ve picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time.”

This marks another in a series of injuries for Raducanu since her breakout US Open victory in 2021.

She is working with fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura to prepare for the physical demands of professional tennis after missing much of 2023 due to wrist and ankle surgeries and a two-month foot injury.

In other Auckland Classic action, former Australian Open semi-finalist Elise Mertens also withdrew ahead of her first-round match.

Top seed Madison Keys navigated windy conditions to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti. Keys, ranked 21st in the world, expressed relief at starting the season on a positive note.

“Lucia is the kind of player who makes you keep playing extra shots,” Keys said. “It’s great for confidence this early in the season.”

Keys will face unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian next, following the retirement of Cristian’s opponent Yuliia Starodubtseva during their match.

Elsewhere, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin advanced with a 7-6(5), 6-1 win over China’s Wang Xiyu, setting up a second-round clash with fifth seed Clara Tauson of Denmark.