Emma Raducanu has announced that she will not be taking part in next week’s Madrid Open, as she continues to focus on regaining full fitness after a lingering illness. The British No. 1 has also elected to skip the WTA events in Miami and Linz, choosing instead to devote her time and energy to a thorough rehabilitation program designed to address post‑viral symptoms that emerged after she contracted an infection while competing in Romania in early February. In addition to the Madrid withdrawal, Raducanu opted out of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup tie against Australia, underscoring how seriously she is taking her recovery.
Sources close to the player say she has already returned to light training sessions and is optimistic about the possibility of appearing in Rome for the Italian Open at the beginning of May. The 23‑year‑old’s most recent match came at Indian Wells, where she fell in the third round on March 8 to Amanda Anisimova with a double‑bagel scoreline of 6‑1, 6‑1. After the loss, Raducanu was candid about her performance, attributing the one‑sided result to a noticeable lack of power in her shots.
“I need to obviously be aggressive when playing those players, but I think there’s still a long way to go to be doing that and I need to use my strengths and probably mix it up a bit more,” she explained in the post‑match interview. Since parting ways with her most recent coach, Francisco Roig, in January, the 2021 US Open champion has been working on an informal basis with former British player and coach Mark Petchey. The partnership is aimed at rebuilding her confidence, refining her tactical approach, and restoring the physical robustness that made her a Grand Slam winner at just 18 years old.
Raducanu’s decision to sit out the Madrid Open places her among a growing list of high‑profile players who have withdrawn from the event this season. Notable absentees include world No. 1 Carlos Alcaráz, multiple Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, American star Taylor Fritz, rising Turkish talent Sonay Kartal, and Czech stalwart Barbora Krejčíková.
Their collective absence has turned the tournament into a more open field, offering opportunities for lower‑ranked competitors to make deeper runs. Looking ahead, Raducanu’s next scheduled appearance on clay will be the Italian Open, which kicks off in Rome on May 5. The tournament serves as a critical preparation event for the French Open, and it will give her a chance to test her fitness on the slower surface after a period of limited match play.
Following Rome, she is expected to compete in the WTA events in Strasbourg and Rabat, both of which are positioned as warm‑up tournaments ahead of the Roland Garros championships. The British player’s withdrawal also highlights a broader trend in women’s tennis, where several athletes are choosing to prioritize health and long‑term career sustainability over short‑term tournament participation. In recent months, concerns about post‑viral fatigue, injuries, and the demanding travel schedule have prompted many players to adopt more selective calendars, often opting for extended rest periods between events. While Raducanu’s absence may disappoint fans hoping to see her back on the court, her commitment to a comprehensive recovery plan could ultimately extend her career and improve her performance when she does return.
The combination of medical support, targeted conditioning, and strategic coaching input is designed to address both the physical and mental aspects of her game, ensuring she can compete at the highest level without the risk of relapse. For those following the WTA Tour, live coverage of the ATP and WTA matches remains available through Sky Sports and the NOW streaming service, as well as the Sky Sports app, which offers real‑time scores, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis. Fans can stay updated on Raducanu’s progress and future tournament entries by checking these platforms regularly. In summary, Emma Raducanu’s decision to withdraw from the Madrid Open reflects a cautious and measured approach to her health after a challenging bout of post‑viral illness.
With a tentative plan to return in Rome and a supportive coaching arrangement with Mark Petchey, she aims to rebuild her form on clay and re‑establish herself as a competitive force on the WTA circuit. Her upcoming schedule, including the Italian Open, Strasbourg, and Rabat, will serve as a barometer for her recovery and readiness to tackle the season’s Grand Slam events, particularly the French Open, later this year.