Raducanu pulls out of another tournament after illness

Emma Raducanu reacts during practice at Indian Wells

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Emma Raducanu has played six tournaments this season, winning seven of her 14 matches

ByJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport tennis news reporter

Published36 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu has delayed the start of her clay-court season as she continues her recovery from a viral illness, according to her representatives.

The British number one was due to play at the Linz Open in Austria next week, but BBC Sport was told on Wednesday she has withdrawn from the WTA 500 event.

It is understood Raducanu, 23, wants to focus on making a full recovery before returning to competitive action on the clay.

The world number 28 started feeling unwell while playing during February's Middle East hard-court swing. She competed in Indian Wells last month, but then decided to skip Miami.

Raducanu has played five tournaments this season, winning seven of her 14 matches.

Four of those wins came in a run to the Transylvania Open final, where she was aiming for a first title since her shock US Open triumph in 2021.

But this is another period of uncertainty for Raducanu. Her career has been littered with injury and physical issues since winning the Grand Slam title in New York as a teenage qualifier.

Raducanu's withdrawal from Linz comes a day after fellow Briton Jack Draper pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters as he continues his cautious comeback following an arm injury.

Raducanu hopes to return for the Madrid Open, which is the opening WTA 1000 event of the European clay-court season.

The French Open, which rounds off the clay swing, begins at the end of May.