Emma Raducanu Pulls Out of Madrid Open Due to Ongoing Fitness Concerns

Emma Raducanu has taken the decision to withdraw from the upcoming Madrid Open, as she continues her journey to regain full fitness. This move comes after she also withdrew from recent WTA Tour events in Miami and Linz, prioritizing her rehabilitation from an illness contracted in Romania earlier in February. Raducanu, who is Britain's number one, also chose not to participate in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia. Currently back in training, she is hopeful of returning to competition at the Rome tournament in early May. Her last match was on March 8 at Indian Wells, where she lost to Amanda Anisimova. Raducanu acknowledged that she lacked power during the match and expressed the need to adopt a more aggressive playing style, utilizing her strengths and varying her approach. Since parting ways with coach Francisco Roig in January, Raducanu has been informally working with Mark Petchey as she strives to regain her form. Following the Madrid Open, her next opportunity to compete on clay will be at the Italian Open, starting on May 5 in Rome, followed by tournaments in Strasbourg and Rabat ahead of the French Open. Raducanu joins a list of high-profile players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Sonay Kartal, and Barbora Krejcikova, who have also withdrawn from the Madrid Open.