Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Madrid Open, extending her absence from the WTA Tour to nearly two months due to a viral illness. The Briton has not competed since a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Amanda Anisimova in the second round of Indian Wells on 8 March.
Raducanu briefly trained at the Miami Open but withdrew citing lingering symptoms from a viral illness that also affected her during the Middle East swing in February. She has since taken considerable time off from training and only recently returned to practice, needing to rebuild match fitness.
According to her representatives, Raducanu is hopeful of competing at the Italian Open in Rome, which begins on 4 May. However, the extended layoff means she will have missed most of the clay-court season, making the challenge on her least favourite surface even tougher.
The 2025 season was the most stable period of Raducanu's career, with regular competition and a return to the top 30. But 2026 has been difficult: a foot injury delayed her start, and she has a 7-7 record, with her only positive week being a run to the final in Cluj, Romania. She also ended her coaching partnership with Francisco Roig, who has since begun working with Iga Swiatek.
The Madrid Open will also be without Carlos Alcaraz (wrist injury) and Novak Djokovic (injury), while Jack Draper's participation is uncertain after retiring in Barcelona.
