Emma Raducanu is forced to delay the start of her clay season and miss Linz due to still feeling the after-effects of the virus she contracted two months ago.
In early February, Raducanu made her first final since the 2021 US Open in Cluj-Napoca. While finishing as runner-up in Cluj-Napoca was a great achievement for the 23-year-old, she also sustained a viral infection that hampered her through tournaments in Doha and Dubai.
After clearly being far from 100 percent in the Middle East, the 2021 US Open champion lost in the Indian Wells third round and pulled out of Miami.
Last month, it was announced that Raducanu would not represent Great Britain in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers tie against Australia. However, the world No. 28 was still expected to kick off her clay season at the WTA 500 tournament in Linz, which takes place next week.
Unfortunately for the Linz organizers, that won’t be happening since the British tennis player is still battling to fully recover from the viral illness she sustained in February.
Raducanu explained her health status just before Indian Wells
“In Cluj, I picked up like a virus, I think, at the start of the tournament. So I was dealing with that and the after-effects… I had really long effects for the last three weeks. I’ve been trying to clear them. So the Middle East trip was very difficult for me. I’m getting ready for Indian Wells and just trying to get back to full health. And I still have a bit of time, so I’m just looking forward to doing my best to be ready for that,” the 23-year-old explained in late February.
Now that Raducanu is out of Linz, her next scheduled tournament is the Madrid Open, which takes place between April 21 and May 3.
Hopefully, Raducanu recovers in time for the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid.