Emma Raducanu Overcomes Needle Phobia to Manage Back Injury Ahead of French Open 2025

British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu is facing more than just her competitors at the 2025 French Open—she’s confronting a personal fear that has long held her back. In a bid to treat a lingering back injury, the former US Open champion is undergoing acupuncture therapy, despite a lifelong phobia of needles.

Courage Under Pressure

Raducanu’s troubles began again during the Strasbourg Open, where she suffered back spasms that disrupted her preparations for Roland Garros. Determined not to let it derail her tournament, she agreed to treatment methods she had previously avoided—including acupuncture.

“At the start of the year, I was terrified of needles. It was my biggest fear. But I realized it’s something that really helps me recover. Even though I still don’t like it, I’m trying to face it,” Raducanu said.

Alongside needling, she has been receiving intensive physiotherapy and using heat treatments to ease discomfort and improve her movement on the clay courts.

On-Court Scare at Roland Garros

During her opening match against China’s Wang Xinyu, Raducanu raised concerns after requesting medical attention in the first set. With the score at 6–5 in her favor, she returned to her bench and called for the physio team. Two medics came on court and checked her blood pressure, while she appeared visibly uncomfortable.

She was also seen rubbing ice around her face and briefly adding something to her water bottle before taking a sip. Despite the medical timeout, she resumed play, drawing admiration for her resilience and poise under pressure.

Experience Brings Wisdom

Raducanu has become more attuned to her body’s signals, learning from past mistakes. She recalled pushing through pain early in her career—often ignoring injury symptoms due to pressure from others.

“I kept playing through wrist pain for over half a year before I had surgery last year. People around me told me to toughen up, that soreness was normal. But I knew something wasn’t right. I wish I had trusted myself sooner.”

She emphasized that the clay surface has historically triggered her back issues, due to its high bounce and physically demanding rallies. This pattern, she believes, is something she now has to proactively manage every clay-court season.

British Hopes Shine Brighter

As one of seven British players in the French Open main draw, Raducanu hopes to lead a stronger national showing than in 2024, when all six entrants were eliminated in the first round. With Jack Draper and Katie Boulter also performing well recently, there’s a renewed sense of belief among the British contingent.

“It’s a good feeling when we start winning matches on clay. We’re pushing each other forward and feeding off that shared momentum.” Raducanu’s determination to improve her physical condition and confront personal fears speaks volumes about her growth as both a player and a person. Fans will be closely watching her journey at Roland Garros, hopeful that this year marks a deeper run in the prestigious Grand Slam.