Raducanu Pulls Out of Madrid Open to Focus on Recovery

Emma Raducanu is taking a cautious approach to her return to competition, pulling out of the upcoming Madrid Open as she continues her rehabilitation from post-viral symptoms. The British No 1 has also withdrawn from recent WTA Tour events in Miami and Linz, prioritizing her recovery from an illness she contracted in Romania earlier this year. Although Raducanu has resumed training and is hopeful of competing in Rome in early May, she is taking no risks with her fitness. Her last match was a third-round loss to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells on March 8, where she felt underpowered and struggled to find her rhythm. Raducanu has been working informally with coach Mark Petchey since parting ways with Francisco Roig in January, as she seeks to regain her form. The Italian Open in Rome, starting on May 5, will be Raducanu's next opportunity to compete on clay, followed by tournaments in Strasbourg and Rabat leading up to the French Open. Raducanu joins a list of high-profile withdrawals from the Madrid Open, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Barbora Krejcikova.