Emma Raducanu Shockingly Withdraws from Italian Open Less than 30 Minutes After Press Conference

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to ongoing post-viral symptoms. Her withdrawal announcement came just less than 30 minutes after conducting her press, where she was happy to be back on tour after over a month away from the court.

Raducanu was among the early birds at the Foro Italico in Rome, having not played at the Madrid Open. In fact, there was a viral video with her and German star Eva Lys having a good time in one of their practice sessions. She had received a first-round bye as a needed player and was scheduled to face either Solana Sierra or a qualifier in her opening match.

But surprisingly, while reporters were still in the Italian Open press room waiting for other players to have their media interviews, the tournament supervisor announced that Raducanu had withdrawn from the event. The sudden change of mind has been difficult to fathom, as the announcement revealed that she’s ill.

According to the ATP and WTA regulations, players are required to conduct at least one post-withdrawal activity, which includes media availability to avoid a fine. Raducanu never spoke to the media about withdrawing from the tournament, which would have resulted in a $15,000 fine for not complying with the on-site withdrawal rules on tour.

It is not unusual for a player to withdraw from a tournament a day or two after conducting media duties. But in Raducanu’s case, most players often withdraw from the tournament before explaining the reason for doing so during their press conference. Rather, during her interview with reporters, she revealed that she’s motivated to be back on the court:

Last two months, in the beginning, it was quite difficult. Wasn’t feeling the best physically. And I think it had just been lingering for a while. Whereas in the last three weeks, I think I’ve really turned a corner and I feel so much better. And that’s a really positive thing for me. 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…

This doesn’t look good for Raducanu as it means that she might be playing the French Open without a warm-up tournament. However, she’s yet to confirm if she will play at the Strasbourg Open, which commences a week before Roland Garros. Also, she’s expected to drop out of the Roland Garros seeded positions following the Rome withdrawal.

Emma Raducanu says her viral illness was mentally draining

Emma Raducanu’s career has been far from seamless. Other WTA players have had their ups and downs, but the British star’s own seem to never end. From coaching issues to injuries, things have been difficult for the former US Open champion.

Withdrawing from the Rome Open means she will not play a tournament for two months. Her viral illness began during the Middle East swing in February, but the symptoms showed no signs of dwindling even in March.

Her last match on tour was the 1-6, 1-6 hammering she suffered at the hands of Amanda Anisimova in the third round at the Australian Open. After the loss, she opted to spend an extended period on the sidelines. She admitted that during her period on the sidelines it was mentally draining:

Potentially [draining mentally]. When you have things going on, every day you’re working at it, it’s something you have in your head, but now in terms of body, injuries-wise, I feel very good. I don’t have anything that’s bothering me, and I’m just able to put out good days and I feel like I’m approaching each day, shot with great purpose.

In recent weeks, Raducanu appeared to have briefly reunited with her former coach Andrew Richardson. The pair were seen at the Ferrer Academy, as Raducanu tried to build up her match fitness. There’s optimism that she will get better before the Roland Garros, which begins on May 30.

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