Emma Raducanu has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Madrid Open as she continues her journey to full recovery. This decision comes after she also pulled out of the WTA Tour events in Miami and Linz, prioritizing her rehabilitation from post-viral symptoms that stemmed from an illness she contracted in Romania in early February.
Raducanu, who also opted not to participate in Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia, has resumed training and is hopeful to compete in Rome at the beginning of May. Her last match was in the third round at Indian Wells on March 8, where she lost to Amanda Anisimova. Following the match, Raducanu acknowledged that a lack of power had hindered her performance.
She expressed the need to adopt a more aggressive playing style, leveraging her strengths and varying her approach. Since parting ways with her coach Francisco Roig in January, Raducanu has been informally working with Mark Petchey as she strives to regain her form.
The Italian Open, starting on May 5 in Rome, 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 players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Sonay Kartal, and Barbora Krejcikova, who have also withdrawn from the Madrid Open.