Emma Raducanu withdraws from Italian Open with post-viral illness

ROME — Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to post-viral illness, less than half an hour after telling reporters that she thought she had “really turned a corner” and felt “so much better.”

In a bizarre few minutes Tuesday night in Rome, Raducanu discussed her prospects at the event with a few reporters before the Italian Open tournament supervisor confirmed via email at 7 p.m. that she was withdrawing due to a post-viral illness. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., Raducanu finished her media briefing, in which she told reporters, “I feel great on the court. I feel like every day I’m working towards something. The break has helped me feel really motivated coming back, very hungry and happy to be out here training and putting out great sessions every day.”

She also said, “I wouldn’t say I’m 100 percent,” but she appeared upbeat heading into what was set to be her first event in almost two months after being sidelined by the lingering effects of a viral infection she picked up in February. Raducanu’s last match was a third-round shellacking by Amanda Anisimova at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 8.

Players can lose ranking points and face financial penalties for not playing mandatory events, but the nature of Raducanu’s withdrawal means she will avoid being penalized. According to the WTA’s 2026 rulebook, to avoid a fine for an on-site withdrawal, a player must perform one of a few activities, such as participating in a “content feature,” which includes speaking to the media. Additionally, because she is missing the Italian Open with the same illness that caused her last withdrawal, it will be classed as a “continuing withdrawal.”

During the media briefing, Raducanu was asked if she had considered skipping the Italian Open and Roland Garros. She replied, “I think playing on the clay — getting any time on the clay for me — I’m not necessarily thinking everything for the grass. Because I know in the years to come, every time, every week that I get on the clay courts, it’s going to help me for the future and longer term.”

Following this latest withdrawal, Raducanu must be considered doubtful for the French Open, even though she said Tuesday that “you never want to miss a Grand Slam.” She could opt to play a tournament in the week leading up to Roland Garros, which begins May 24, to ensure she has at least some matches on clay prior to the second major of the year.

Raducanu also confirmed that she trained with her former coach, Andrew Richardson, last month at the Ferrer Tennis Academy in La Nucía, Spain. Richardson was with Raducanu during her fairytale U.S. Open win five years ago, but she said Tuesday that the pair do not plan to reunite on a permanent basis.

Instead, she is still working with hitting partner, Alexis Canter, and with physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach Emma Stewart, who was with her in Rome.

Of her ongoing 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 percent. I’m still building my way back. It is difficult to then kind of maintain it. Even if your tennis level is very high, it’s difficult to maintain for the full duration of the match, so I think it was good to come here and practice and see how I’m doing in points and the sharpness of that to get your eye in for.”

The Italian Open, a 1000-level event one rung below the Grand Slams, began Tuesday. A qualifier will replace Raducanu in the draw.