Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Miami Open with a lower back injury.
The 21-year-old was set to face Wang Xiyu in the opening round on Tuesday, but it has been confirmed that Raducanu has now withdrawn from the tournament.
There had been positive signs for Raducanu at Indian Wells earlier this month, when she picked up back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024 and then produced a positive performance despite losing in straight sets to world number two Aryna Sabalenka.
The latest injury setback will be a huge frustration to the Briton, who missed almost the entirety of last season after undergoing wrist and ankle surgeries.
Raducanu has been upbeat about her fitness status this year, and reflected on a “more positive” display after her defeat to Sabalenka.
"It was a good success, I would say," Raducanu said.
“I think I have handled myself a lot better on the match court. I was a lot more positive and hungry to play, and that showed I think in the tennis that I did play."
It remains to be seen how serious the back injury is, with Raducanu scheduled to play in the Billie Jean King Cup for Great Britain next month.
She has been called up to the team along with Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart and Heather Watson, for the qualifier away to France on April 12-13.
Speaking after Indian Wells and ahead of the Miami Open, when she still expected to compete, Raducanu revealed her frustration at the change in tennis balls between tournaments, suggesting it has a role to play in causing wrist injuries.
“I honestly think it’s really bad for us, the way that we have to switch balls every single week and especially when you’ve gone through surgeries,” Raducanu said.
"I know a lot of players who are struggling with wrist problems, too.
"I don’t understand why every other sport is pretty much the same, whereas in tennis it’s different week to week.”
