Emma's Back Issues Strike Again: That Eastbourne Loss Has Me Worried About Wimbledon

By Lewis Barnett 25 June, 2025 6 mins read 250 Views

God, I hate watching Emma Raducanu struggle like this.

Just witnessed her crash out of Eastbourne in what can only be described as a painful mess - and I'm not just talking about the 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 scoreline against Australia's Maya Joint. The whole thing felt like watching someone try to play tennis while their body actively rebelled against them. Joint's only 19 and ranked 53rd in the world, but honestly? She didn't even need to play her best tennis to get this win.

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When Your Body Says "Nope"

Look, I've been covering tennis for eight years now, and you develop an eye for when something's genuinely wrong versus when a player's just having an off day. This was definitely the former. Raducanu's been dealing with these back twinges for weeks - my physio friend calls it "the ghost that keeps haunting" - and it showed up big time today.

Mid-way through that final set, she literally slumped forward in her chair during the changeover. Towel draped across her waist, head down. The camera caught her looking over at coach Mark Petchey with this expression that was part desperation, part "what the hell do I do now?"

She stopped running for balls. Just... stopped.

The Forehand That Wouldn't Cooperate

Here's the thing about back problems in tennis (learned this the hard way when I tried playing through a similar issue back in 2019 and couldn't serve properly for three months): everything falls apart. Your weaker side gets exposed because you can't rotate properly, and for Emma, that's always been the forehand.

The error count today was brutal. Under that blazing south coast sun - it had to be pushing 85 degrees - she was spraying shots everywhere. Joint probably couldn't believe her luck. You could see her getting more confident with each unforced error, sensing that major scalp was within reach.

That Comeback Though...

Credit where it's due: Emma showed serious guts breaking Joint three straight times when the Aussie was serving for the match at 5-2. THREE times! Joint went from match point to suddenly facing a tiebreak, looking like she'd seen a ghost at a family reunion.

But that drop shot in the breaker... oof. Misjudged it completely, and Joint closed it out with an ace. Two hours and 33 minutes of what felt like watching someone fight their own body as much as their opponent.

The Tears From Round One Make More Sense Now

Remember how emotional she got after beating Ann Li in the first round? She said it was about something "private," but honestly, I'm wondering if she already knew her back was acting up. Sometimes you cry because you know what's coming, you know?

My editor texted me during the match: "Think she'll pull out of Wimbledon?" I told him no way - this is Emma we're talking about. But the question hanging over SW19 next week isn't whether she'll show up. It's what condition she'll be in when she does.

What This Means for Wimbledon (Spoiler: Nothing Good)

Listen, I want to be optimistic here. Really do. But watching today felt like déjà vu in the worst possible way. We've seen this pattern before with Emma - the physical issues that seem to crop up at the worst possible moments.

Joint deserves credit for staying composed when she had every reason to choke, but let's be real: this wasn't about her suddenly discovering world-beating form. This was about Emma's body letting her down again, just days before the tournament that made her famous.

Poor kid. Sometimes I wonder if the pressure of being British No. 1 and that US Open champion weighs heavier than we realize.

Wimbledon starts Monday. Emma's got maybe five days to figure out whatever's going wrong with that back. Based on what I saw today in Eastbourne, those five days better work miracles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone who starts playing tennis later still become a pro?

Tennis is a sport that can be played at any age. While it will require more effort, you can still reach professional status. Success depends on an individual's athletic abilities, work ethic, commitment, and accessing quality coaching and competitive opportunities. Late starters will need to engage in highly focused and intensive training, and the path may be more arduous, but with talent and perseverance, reaching a professional level is within the realm of possibility.

How can a player of tennis balance training and school requirements?

Balance between academic obligations and intensive training schedules can be difficult for aspiring players. The ability to manage time, prioritize, and create a schedule that works for you is essential. Online schooling and flexible academic programs can help accommodate the demanding training and travel schedule of young athletes. Support from parents, coaches and educational establishments is essential to ensure that players can achieve their goals while maintaining their education.

How does mental and psycho-social training affect tennis training?

Tennis requires mental and psychological training as much as physical training. Players must learn to manage stress, maintain focus, and handle the emotional highs and lows of competition. Techniques such as visualization, goal-setting, and mental rehearsals are common practices. Working with a sports psychologist can help players build resilience, develop coping strategies for pressure situations, and elevate their mental game to match their physical prowess on the court.

Is it important to compete in junior events for a tennis career?

Competing in junior tournaments is a crucial step in the journey to a professional tennis career. These tournaments allow young athletes to practice their skills and gain match experience against other players. They also help them to learn how to handle the pressure of competition. These junior tournaments serve as a springboard to higher-level events and can impact a young athlete's ranking and visibility among coaches and sponsors.

What is the importance of nutrition and diet for a tennis athlete?

Tennis players are no different. Nutrition and diet is vital to any athlete who wants to perform at their best. A proper diet is essential for intense training, as it helps to provide energy, promotes recovery, and reduces injury risk. Diets for elite athletes usually include a mix of carbohydrates with proteins and fats. They also contain essential vitamins. Hydration is another critical aspect, as maintaining good fluid balance is crucial to prevent fatigue and maintain concentration during play.

Statistics

Nutritionists report that a tennis player's diet should consist of about 55-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein, and 20-25% fats during intense training periods.
Top tennis players typically train for 4 to 6 hours per day, divided between on-court practice and fitness training.
Persistent mental training and sports psychology can help reduce performance anxiety by up to 60%, according to sports psychologists working with elite athletes.
Engaging in structured video analysis sessions has been shown to improve a player's tactical decision-making by approximately 35%.
Statistical trends indicate that top tennis players usually have at least 5 people in their support team, including coaches, fitness trainers, and physiotherapists.

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How To

How to Develop a Powerful Tennis Serve

Mastering your grip is the first step to developing a powerful serve. For greater control and speed, adopt a Continental-style grip. Next, ensure your stance is correct - typically, this means standing at a forty-five-degree angle to the baseline. Tossing high enough for you to be able to hit it with full extension of your arms without reaching is essential. By bending your knees, drive up to the ball and using your entire body for power instead of just your arm, engage your legs. This 'trophy' pose with the racket pointing backwards and elbows raised is a great way to make sure your serve technique hasn't slipped. Final step: Focus on a fluid and smooth motion. Be sure to snap your wrist at the point where the racket meets the ball. This will help you to develop a powerful serve by consistently practicing these elements.