Emma Raducanu's transition to the European clay-court season has been put on hold. Representatives for the British number one confirmed on Wednesday that she will skip next week's Linz Open in Austria to continue her recovery from a nagging viral illness.
The 23-year-old, currently ranked 28th in the world, initially fell ill during the Middle East hard-court swing in February. While she pushed through to compete at Indian Wells last month, the persistent virus ultimately forced her to abandon plans for the Miami Open. Her team emphasized that she is prioritizing a complete physical recovery before returning to competitive tennis on the demanding clay surface.
This latest withdrawal extends a frustratingly start-and-stop year for the former US Open champion. While last season offered optimism—marked by a career-high half-century of match appearances—her current campaign has been a turbulent mix of highs and lows. Alongside a recent coaching change and ongoing health disruptions, Raducanu has posted an even 7-7 win-loss record across six tournaments. The definitive bright spot remains her impressive run to the Transylvania Open final, where she came tantalizingly close to securing her first piece of silverware since her historic 2021 triumph in New York.
Looking ahead, Raducanu is now targeting a return at the Madrid Open. The premier WTA 1000 event will serve as a critical stepping stone in the European clay swing as players build toward the French Open at the end of May.
Her delayed return compounds a difficult week for British tennis, coming just a day after fellow standout Jack Draper withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters to cautiously manage his own comeback from an arm injury.