Emma Raducanu Withdraws from Italian Open Due to Illness
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open in Rome, citing illness stemming from a viral infection. The British number one had been training in Rome in preparation for the tournament and was engaged in media obligations before the decision was made with her team to step back.
Since early March, Raducanu has been absent from the Tour, missing crucial tournaments in Miami, Linz, and Madrid due to persistent effects from the virus she contracted in February. Just prior to her withdrawal, she also opted out of England’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia, although she had been hopeful about competing in Rome.
Originally scheduled to face either Solana Sierra or a qualifier in the second round, Raducanu has yet to participate in any clay court matches this season. The last time she played was on March 8, where she suffered a defeat to Amanda Anisimova, losing 6-1, 6-1 in the third round at Indian Wells.
Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu indicated a need for improvement, expressing, “I need to be aggressive against those players. I still have a long way to go and must play to my strengths.” This acknowledgment highlights her awareness of the challenges she faces as she seeks to regain her form.
Potential Warm-Up Matches Before French Open
Despite her current setback, Raducanu still has an opportunity to compete on red clay leading up to the French Open, scheduled from May 24 to June 7. Potential warm-up events include the Strasbourg International from May 17-23 and the Rabat Grand Prix from May 18-23, both crucial for building momentum ahead of Roland Garros.
Last week, Raducanu trained with her former coach Andrew Richardson at the Ferrer Tennis Academy in Alicante, Spain. Richardson played a significant role in her remarkable journey to the US Open title five years ago. Following her split from coach Francisco Roig, Raducanu has mainly worked with hitting partner Alexis Kanter but briefly reunited with Mark Petchey for her match in Indian Wells.
In addition to Raducanu’s journey, British number three Katie Boulter is looking to build on her early success in the clay court season, having reached the quarter-finals in Rouen and clinching the Madrid Open title. She will play her first match against Germany’s Eva Lys this Wednesday.
Cameron Norrie also continues his solid performance in the 2026 season, achieving notable results including a third-round finish at the Australian Open and a quarter-final appearance at both Indian Wells and Barcelona. As the British No. 1, Norrie will receive a bye in the first round, while other players such as Jacob Fearnley and Jan Choynski aim to qualify for the main tournament.
Upcoming Schedule for the Italian Open
The women’s draw for the Italian Open is set to commence on Tuesday, May 5, with the men’s competition beginning the following day on May 6. Fans can look forward to live coverage of the event, culminating in finals weekend on May 16-17. Daytime sessions will kick off at 10 AM, followed by evening sessions starting at 6 PM.
