Emma Raducanu has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Madrid Open, citing her ongoing recovery from post-viral symptoms. The British number one had previously pulled out of WTA Tour events in Miami and Linz, prioritizing her rehabilitation after falling ill in Romania earlier this year. Raducanu, who also skipped Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia, has resumed training and is hopeful of competing in 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 recognized the need to adapt her playing style.
Since parting ways with coach Francisco Roig in January, Raducanu has been working informally with Mark Petchey to regain her form. The Italian Open, starting on May 5, will be Raducanu's next opportunity to play 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.