Everything you need to know as Emma Raducanu pulls out of another tournament while struggling with illness symptoms
Raducanu contracted a virus in February at the start of the Transylvania Open in Cluj. Although she reached the final, the illness took its toll on her performance, and she suffered a heavy 6-0, 6-2 defeat to Sorana Cirstea in her first final since the 2021 US Open.
Despite being unwell, Raducanu travelled around 2,800 miles to compete in Doha but retired in the third set of her first-round match against Camila Osorio. The British No. 1 then lost her opening match in Dubai, and it later emerged that she suffering from a persistent cough and chest discomfort.
While competing in Indian Wells last month, Raducanu admitted that pushing through the Middle Eastern tournaments was a mistake. With hindsight, the 23-year-old says she should have skipped the two events instead of making herself “stay out there”.
Although she hadn’t fully recovered, Raducanu went on to win her opening match in Indian Wells but suffered a bruising 52-minute defeat to Amanda Anisimova, losing 6-1 6-1. This was on March 8, and she has not played a match since.
The Brit withdrew from the Miami Open, even though she was defending quarter-final points there, as she continued to struggle with lingering post-viral symptoms. She has now withdrawn from the upcoming WTA 500 in Cluj and doesn’t want to return until she has fully recovered, especially with the switch to clay courts.
Raducanu has entered the Madrid Open, beginning April 21, which would be her next tournament if she recovers. Beyond that, the world No. 28’s ranking means she will be entered into the WTA 1000 in Rome and the French Open.
