Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Madrid Open, extending her absence from the WTA Tour to nearly two months due to a viral illness.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 British player has not competed since a 6-1, 6-1 defeat to Amanda Anisimova in the second round of Indian Wells on 8 March. She briefly trained at the Miami Open but withdrew citing lingering symptoms from an earlier viral illness that also affected her during the Middle East swing in February.
Raducanu has only recently returned to practice after a considerable break from training. Her representatives say she is hopeful of competing at the Italian Open in Rome, which begins on 4 May. However, the layoff means she will have limited preparation on clay, her least favoured surface. This is the latest disruption in a turbulent career; after a stable second half of 2025 that saw her return to the top 30, the first four months of 2026 have been difficult.
A foot injury at the end of last season delayed her start, and she lost her opening match at the United Cup. Her only positive week came as a finalist in Cluj, Romania, where she won consecutive matches for the first time since the US Open. She has a 7-7 record in 2026. Technical changes to her forehand performed poorly, and she 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. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina won the Stuttgart Open, defeating Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to claim her second title of the season and a Porsche car for the second time.
