Emma Raducanu has decided to withdraw from her third consecutive tournament, opting out of the upcoming Madrid Open to focus on her recovery from an illness she contracted back in February. The British No. 1 has been absent from competition since her loss to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells six weeks ago, also missing out on the Miami Open and the Upper Austria Ladies Linz due to post-viral symptoms.
Despite her recent setbacks, Raducanu remains hopeful and aims to return to the courts at the Italian Open in early May. While reports indicate that she has resumed training, she feels it is too soon to compete in Madrid at this time.
Her withdrawal adds to the challenges faced by tournament organizers, as other top players like world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and three-time former champion Novak Djokovic have also pulled out of the Madrid Open due to injuries. Alcaraz sustained a wrist injury during the Barcelona Open, while Djokovic continues to manage a persistent issue that hinders his ability to compete.
Raducanu’s health struggles began with a viral illness earlier this year, impacting her performance at the Transylvania Open where she was defeated by Sorana Cirstea. Following that, she participated in the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai but faced difficulties, eventually withdrawing mid-match in Doha and exiting early in Dubai.
Last year in Madrid, Raducanu reached the second round before bowing out to Marta Kostyuk. Her absence from this year’s tournament will result in a loss of 35 ranking points. Despite these recent challenges, the young British player had a successful run at the 2025 Italian Open, reaching the fourth round before being eliminated by Coco Gauff.
Raducanu’s season has been plagued by injuries and illnesses, starting with a foot problem during the pre-season. She struggled at the Australian Open, leading to a change in coaching staff, and has since been accompanied by her hitting partner and physiotherapist. While she showed promise by reaching a final earlier this year, ongoing health issues have disrupted her season.
For football fans, Kitbag is offering discounts of up to 70% on football kits and merchandise in its end-of-season sale, featuring products from top Premier League clubs. Remember to select Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the latest news updates.
