"I saw Rafael Nadal playing his entire career with injections and she has a 'niggle'" - Fans frustrated by Emma Raducanu's ASB Classic 2025 withdrawal

Emma Raducanu has postponed the start of her 2025 season with her last-minute withdrawal from the ASB Classic. Fans were dismayed by the Brit's latest injury scare, which prompted her decision to pull out just hours before her opening match.

Raducanu was set to kick off her campaign at the WTA 250 event against Robin Montgomery. However, she pulled out of the tournament shortly before the highly anticipated encounter, citing a "back niggle" that she couldn't recover from in time for the clash.

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

Given the pattern of injury struggles and tournament withdrawals that were commonplace in Emma Raducanu's 2024 season, fans were frustrated by the Brit's new season starting off on the same note.

One fan even highlighted how Rafael Nadal made every effort to play through his chronic foot injury while criticizing the Brit for pulling out of tournaments over what they perceived as minor physical issues.

"I'm at the end of my tether with this girl. I wish her all the best but not gonna be as interested in her as a player as much anymore. It's just one step forward 5 steps back. I saw Nadal had been playing his entire career with injections in his foot and she has a "niggle,"" one fan commented.

"If she didn’t have all this endorsement money would some of these injuries be…less serious," a fan wrote.

"Three certainties in life, death, taxes and a late Emma Raducanu withdrawal," another fan chimed in.

"I give up on Raducanu :/," said another.

Others, meanwhile, accused Raducanu of only entering tournaments to collect appearance fees before withdrawing at the last moment.

"Dude she literally just flys to tournaments to collect the appearance fee," one fan posted.

"Took the money and off to melbs," a fan wrote.

"Emma Raducanu has pulled out of her opening tournament in Auckland with a back problem, just hours before her opening match. I’m not joking 🤣🤣🤣🤣 She has literally collected her £million turn up fee and thrown in a sick note," another fan chimed in.

Emma Raducanu: "I really want to play more, a big part of that is just staying healthy"

Emma Raducanu - Source: Getty

Emma Raducanu's withdrawal from the 2025 ASB Classic has thrown a wrench in her plans to stay healthy and compete more this year after her injury-riddled 2024 season.

In a recent interview with the Independent, the 22-year-old had expressed optimism about managing her health more effectively on the road after partnering with a new fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.

"I think now, with my set-up, I’m in a place where I can continue work on the road. So I don’t necessarily need to come back to continue good physical work," Emma Raducanu said.

"Also with my tennis, I’m in a pretty good spot. I feel like I just want to see how much I can do, fulfil my potential. I’m curious about what my level can get to. I really want to play more. And I think a big part of that is just staying healthy," she added.

Emma Raducanu is expected to be back in action at the Australian Open, scheduled to commence on January 12. The Brit will aim to deliver a stronger performance at the Melbourne Slam after crashing out with a second-round loss to Wang Yafan last year.