Emma Raducanu 'managing' back issue ahead of Bianca Andreescu first-round clash at Italian Open

Emma Raducanu says she is still 'managing' a back issue ahead of the Italian Open as her body gets used to the 'intensity' of her first full season on the WTA Tour. Raducanu, 19, has struggled with several niggling injuries this year, including blisters on her racquet hand at the Australian Open and blisters on her feet during the Billie Jean King Cup. Ad/> The latest setback was a back issue which hampered her in defeat to Anhelina Kalinina in the last 16 of the Madrid Open.

WTA Madrid‘I was struggling’ – Raducanu reveals back problems in Madrid Open exit, confident ahead of Rome04/05/2022 AT 08:34 “I think it’s just coming from a lot of intensity and overload,” said Raducanu ahead of her Italian Open first-round clash with 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu. “My back, I’m managing it. Like it’s fine.

But it’s just trying to adapt again to the long matches, to the intensity. «I think that all of the small sort of niggles I’m getting, they’re all related and connected to each other, when something is overcompensating perhaps. Yeah, we’ll see.” Osaka: Happiness now my priority over winning Italian Open draw: Raducanu to face Andreescu Despite her injury concerns, Raducanu has enjoyed an encouraging clay season so far.

She won her first professional match on the surface at the Billie Jean King Cup, reached the quarter-finals in Stuttgart and was solid in Madrid before losing to Kalinina. She will continue to work with Iain Bates, the Lawn Tennis Association’s head of women’s tennis, in Rome after splitting with coach Torben Beltz. Comparing the conditions at the Italian Open to Madrid, which is at altitude, Raducanu said: “I think here is completely opposite.