Emma Raducanu has announced that she will not take part in next week’s Madrid Open, as she continues to focus on regaining full fitness after a recent bout of illness. The British No. 1 has already withdrawn from the WTA events in Miami and Linz, choosing to give her body the time it needs to recover from lingering post‑viral symptoms that stemmed from an infection she contracted while in Romania in early February. In addition to skipping the Madrid tournament, Raducanu also decided to sit out Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia, further underscoring her commitment to a careful rehabilitation program.
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 appearance on the WTA Tour came at Indian Wells, where she reached the third round before being handed a decisive 6‑1, 6‑1 loss to Amanda Anisimova on March 8.
After the match, Raducanu was candid about the factors that contributed to the one‑sided result, noting that a noticeable drop in power had left her unable to impose her game on her opponent. "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.
Her comments highlighted a desire to rediscover the aggressive baseline play that propelled her to the 2021 US Open title, while also acknowledging that she still has work to do in terms of physical conditioning and tactical variety. Since parting ways with longtime coach Francisco Roig in January, the former Grand Slam champion has been working on an informal basis with former British professional Mark Petchey. Their collaboration is focused on rebuilding Raducanu’s confidence, fine‑tuning her shot selection, and developing a training regimen that accommodates her recovery needs.
While the partnership is not a formal coaching arrangement, Petchey’s experience on the tour has provided Raducanu with valuable insights as she navigates this challenging phase of her career. Looking ahead, Radcanu’s next major opportunity on clay will be the Italian Open in Rome, scheduled to begin on May 5. The tournament serves as a crucial warm‑up for the French Open, and many analysts expect her to use the event to gauge her readiness for the season’s biggest clay‑court challenges. Following Rome, she is slated to compete in the smaller events in Strasbourg and Rabat, which will give her additional match play before the Roland Garros swing.
Raducanu’s withdrawal adds her name to a growing list of high‑profile players who have pulled out of the Madrid Open this year. Among the notable absentees are world No.
1 Carlos Alcaraz, multiple Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, American star Taylor Fritz, rising Turkish talent Sonay Kartal, and Czech veteran Barbora Krejčíková. Their combined absence has dramatically altered the tournament’s field, opening the door for lower‑ranked players to make deeper runs. The decision to skip Madrid reflects a broader trend in modern tennis, where players are increasingly prioritising health and longevity over the pressure to compete in every event. With a packed calendar that spans hard‑court, clay, and grass seasons, managing fatigue and injury risk has become a critical component of a successful career.
Raducanu’s cautious approach may serve as a model for other athletes facing similar health setbacks. Fans who wish to follow Raducanu’s progress can stay updated through the Sky Sports app, which offers live scores, video highlights, and exclusive interviews.
The platform also streams ATP and WTA matches without a traditional contract, providing a flexible viewing experience for tennis enthusiasts. For those interested in catching the upcoming Italian Open, the Sky Sports app and NOW streaming service will broadcast the action live, ensuring that Raducanu’s potential return to the court does not go unnoticed. In summary, Emma Raducanu’s decision to withdraw from the Madrid Open is a strategic move aimed at safeguarding her health and rebuilding her competitive edge.
While the immediate absence may disappoint some supporters, the long‑term benefits of a full recovery could see her return stronger, more resilient, and ready to contend for titles on the WTA Tour once again.