Emma Raducanu will make her return from illness at the Internationaux de Strasbourg next week, ahead of the French Open. The British No 1 has not played since Indian Wells in March due to a post-viral illness that first struck in February, causing her to withdraw from four consecutive events.
The 23-year-old travelled to Rome and practised before the Italian Open but decided she was not ready to compete. By accepting a wild card into Strasbourg, she will gain valuable clay-court time before Roland Garros, which begins on 24 May.
Raducanu also received a wild card for Strasbourg last year, reaching the second round. The tournament announced on X: “Welcome back, Emma! The 2021 US Open champion will be back on the clay courts in Strasbourg.”
It has been another challenging season health-wise for Raducanu, who started the year recovering from a foot problem. She is also without a coach after splitting with Francisco Roig following the Australian Open.
Speaking in Rome about her illness, Raducanu said: “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 per cent. I’m still building my way back.” She added: “I think I’ve really turned a corner and I feel so much better. I feel great on the court.”
Her absence has caused her ranking to slide, meaning she will not be seeded at the French Open.
