Late Withdrawal Raises Doubts Over Raducanu’s French Open Prospects
Emma Raducanu was among the earliest players to arrive and depart from the Foro Italico this year. She came to Rome ahead of the Italian Open, eager to assess her health and readiness for high-level competition through multiple training sessions on the demanding red clay courts. As her scheduled opening match on Thursday approached, it appeared likely she would make her first tournament appearance in two months. However, her absence from competition will now extend beyond that period.
Raducanu’s situation has rarely been straightforward, as evidenced by her unexpected withdrawal just 30 minutes after giving no indication of such plans during a press conference. The past months have been filled with speculation regarding her health, making her presence in Rome an opportunity to clarify her recent difficulties. Instead, the nature of her exit has only led to more questions.
Explanation of Post-Viral Illness and Its Impact
Despite the uncertainty, Raducanu did provide details about the post-viral illness that has affected her for two months. She explained that she attempted to push through the virus throughout February, but by March the symptoms persisted:
"Post-viral, it’s quite hard, you feel drained, you feel tired, no energy, it’s difficult and it lingered for quite a while,"
"Right now I wouldn’t say I’m 100%. I’m still building my way back. It is difficult to then kind of maintain it, even if your tennis level is very high, it’s difficult to maintain for the full duration of the match."
Raducanu’s Evolving View on Clay Court Season
On Tuesday evening, Raducanu was asked if she had considered bypassing the clay-court season to focus on grass, a controversial choice she made in 2024. Her perspective on clay, her least favored surface, has shifted:
"I’m not necessarily thinking everything for the grass, because I know in the years to come, every time, every week that I get on the clay courts, it’s going to help me for the future and longer term. And it’s great for game development, for physical development, using your legs in a different way and loading. And I think it’s good for me as a player to be on the clay and spend time on it."
However, the clay season is nearly complete. The start of the Italian Open signals the approach of Roland Garros. After two weeks in Rome, only one tournament week remains on the WTA Tour before the French Open. Raducanu is hoping to receive a late wildcard for the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg, but time is running out as she strives to regain fitness to compete in the second Grand Slam of the year.
Ongoing Physical Challenges Define Raducanu’s Career
Regardless of her participation in Paris, the central issue in Raducanu’s career remains unchanged. Despite the intrigue surrounding her tennis and coaching decisions, her most significant challenge is a persistent cycle of injuries, illnesses, and physical setbacks since the start of her career. Periods of good health have been rare throughout her professional journey. While the current post-viral illness may be attributed to misfortune, it is the latest in a series of ailments that have kept her off the court for extended periods.
Recent Progress and Setbacks
This season has been especially difficult, considering the progress she had made previously. For the first time in her career, Raducanu had achieved a consistent run of matches on tour. She won many matches, particularly against opponents she was expected to defeat. Although she suffered several heavy losses against top players and had room for improvement, she had positioned herself well for the new season.
Five months into the 2026 season, that progress now seems distant. The three-month struggle with the virus and its lingering effects was preceded by a foot injury that sidelined her for most of the off-season. Days before her first match of the season, she was still limited to static feeding drills. Since signing a new coaching team, Raducanu has played only two matches at Indian Wells. She now aims to compete in Strasbourg, hoping that once she returns to match play, she can maintain her presence on court for the foreseeable future.
