Raducanu withdraws from Madrid Open as illness absence nears two months

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Madrid Open, extending her absence from competitive tennis to nearly two months due to a viral illness. The British player has not competed since her 6-1, 6-1 loss to Amanda Anisimova in the second round of the Indian Wells Open on 8 March. Raducanu briefly trained at the Miami Open but withdrew, citing lingering symptoms from the illness that initially affected her during the Middle East swing in February. Following her withdrawal from Miami, Raducanu took significant time off from training and has only recently resumed practice, focusing on regaining her match fitness. Her representatives have expressed hope that she will return to competition at the Italian Open in Rome, scheduled to begin in early May. However, missing most of the clay-court season presents a challenge, especially as clay is considered her least favored surface. This latest setback adds to a turbulent period in Raducanu’s career. After a promising second half of 2025, where she climbed back into the top 30 with consistent performances, the start of 2026 has been difficult. A foot injury at the end of last year delayed her full training, and her results have been mixed, including a runner-up finish at a WTA 250 event in Cluj, Romania, her father’s homeland. Raducanu’s form has been inconsistent, with a 7-7 win-loss record in 2026. Additionally, Raducanu has undergone technical adjustments to her forehand, which struggled during the Australian swing. She recently ended a six-month coaching partnership with Francisco Roig, who has since moved on to work with other players. The combination of injury, illness, and coaching changes has contributed to a challenging period for the young British star as she seeks to regain her form and consistency on the WTA Tour.