Emma Raducanu has announced that she will not take part in next week’s Madrid Open, as she continues to focus on regaining full health and fitness. The British No. 1 has already withdrawn from several recent WTA events, including the tournaments in Miami and Linz, choosing to give her body the time it needs to recover from lingering post‑viral symptoms that followed an illness she contracted while competing in Romania in early February. In addition to skipping the Madrid event, Raducanu also elected to sit out Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia, a decision that underscores how seriously she is taking her rehabilitation.
Sources close to the player say she has now returned to light training sessions and is optimistic about the possibility of competing in Rome when the Italian Open kicks off in early May. The 23‑year‑old’s most recent match on the WTA Tour came at Indian Wells, where she reached the third round before being beaten 6‑1, 6‑1 by American Amanda Anisimova on March 8. After the loss, Raducanu was candid about her performance, explaining that a noticeable drop in power had hampered her game. “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 said in the post‑match interview.
Since parting ways with her former 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. Their collaboration has been aimed at rebuilding Raducanu’s confidence, fine‑tuning her shot selection, and restoring the physical robustness that made her a Grand Slam winner at just 18 years old. The decision to withdraw from Madrid follows a wave of high‑profile pull‑outs from the tournament.
In addition to Raducanu, other marquee names such as Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Sonay Kartal and Barbora Krejcikova have also announced they will not be competing, turning the event into a less star‑studded affair than originally expected. Looking ahead, Raducanu’s next major opportunity on clay will be the Italian Open, scheduled to begin in Rome on May 5.
The Italian Open is a key warm‑up event for the French Open, and many players use it to adapt to the slower surface and to gauge their form before the season’s second Grand Slam. After Rome, Raducanu is expected to play in the smaller tournaments in Strasbourg and Rabat, which serve as additional preparation for the upcoming Roland Garros. While the immediate focus remains on her health, Raducanu’s team is also mindful of the broader calendar.
The player’s management has indicated that they will carefully monitor her workload, ensuring that she does not rush back too quickly and risk another setback. In recent weeks, Raducanu has been undergoing a tailored fitness program that includes physiotherapy, low‑impact cardio, and targeted strength work designed to rebuild the core stability and leg power that are essential for high‑level tennis.
Fans and commentators alike have expressed support for her decision, noting that the modern tour’s demanding schedule can be unforgiving for players dealing with lingering illness or injury. The consensus among many former players is that taking a strategic pause can ultimately prolong a career and allow a young champion like Raducanu to return stronger and more resilient. For those who wish to keep up with the latest scores, results and upcoming matches, Sky Sports offers a comprehensive platform that includes live streaming, video highlights, and expert analysis. Subscribers can also access the Sky Sports app for on‑the‑go updates, while the NOW streaming service provides a contract‑free way to watch tennis action in real time.
In summary, Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from the Madrid Open is part of a broader, carefully managed plan to restore her health after a challenging period of post‑viral fatigue. By focusing on rehabilitation, light training, and a gradual return to competition, she hopes to be ready for the clay‑court swing that begins in Rome and culminates at the French Open. Her journey underscores the importance of listening to one’s body and prioritizing long‑term well‑being over short‑term gains, a lesson that resonates across the sport.