Emma Raducanu is set to make her comeback from illness at the Internationaux de Strasbourg next week. The British No 1 has not played since Indian Wells in March due to a post-viral illness that first struck in February, forcing her to withdraw from four consecutive events.
Raducanu travelled to Rome and practised ahead of the Italian Open but decided she was not ready to return. She has accepted a wild card into Strasbourg, which will give her valuable clay-court preparation before the French Open, starting on May 24.
The 23-year-old also received a wild card into the tournament last year, reaching the second round. An announcement from the event on X said: “Welcome back, Emma! The 2021 US Open champion will be back on the clay courts in Strasbourg.”
Raducanu has endured another difficult start to the season health-wise, having begun 2026 recovering from a foot problem. She is also without a coach after splitting from 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.” Raducanu’s absence has seen her slide down the rankings, meaning she will not be seeded at Roland Garros.
