Emma Raducanu has decided to withdraw from her third consecutive tournament and will be skipping the upcoming Madrid Open as she continues to recover from an illness she contracted in February. The British top-ranked player has not competed in any matches since her loss to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells six weeks ago, and also missed out on the Miami Open and the Upper Austria Ladies Linz due to post-viral symptoms.
Despite these setbacks, Raducanu remains hopeful about returning to action and starting her clay season at the Italian Open in early May. While she has resumed training, she feels she is not yet ready to compete in Madrid.
Her absence adds to the challenges faced by tournament organizers, as world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and three-time former champion Novak Djokovic also withdrew from the Madrid Open due to injuries. Raducanu’s illness, which affected her during the Transylvania Open final, led her to compete in the WTA 1000 tournaments in Doha and Dubai with less than optimal results.
Raducanu’s recent struggles include withdrawing mid-match in Doha and a first-round exit at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Reflecting on these tournaments, she acknowledged that she should have withdrawn earlier. Her last match was at Indian Wells, where she managed one win before a challenging defeat to Anisimova.
Although Raducanu reached the second round in Madrid last year, this year’s withdrawal will cost her 35 ranking points. Her performance at the 2025 Italian Open, where she reached the fourth round before losing to Coco Gauff, showcased her potential.
Raducanu’s season has been marred by injuries and illness, starting with a foot problem during the pre-season. Following her exit from the Australian Open and a coaching change, she has faced ongoing health challenges. Despite some positive moments, such as reaching a final in Cluj earlier this year, her progress has been hindered by health issues.
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