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Raducanu’s road leads from Rome to a French Open fitness race and questions beyond
TL;DR
Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Italian Open, extending her absence from competition to over two months due to a post-viral illness. Despite her struggles, she remains committed to improving her game on clay courts for future development.
Key points
- Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Italian Open.
- Her absence from competition extends to over two months.
- She suffers from a post-viral illness affecting her energy levels.
- Raducanu is focusing on clay courts for future development.
Mentioned in this story
Foro Italico
Emma RaducanuItalian Open
In the end Emma Raducanu was one of the first in and out the grandiose gates of the Foro Italico this year. She had arrived in Rome early, eager to test her health and readiness for top-level competition through a series of training sessions on the heavy red clay courts of the Italian Open. As the hours on court piled up, and her planned opening match on Thursday drew closer, it seemed reasonable to conclude that she would make her first appearance in two months. Instead, her absence from the courts will extend to more than two months.
Things are rarely straightforward with Raducanu, demonstrated by the nature of her withdrawal in Rome, which occurred just 30 minutes after she gave little indication of her intention toduring a press conference. The past few months, as usual, have come with ample speculation about Raducanu’s health, meaning her appearance in Rome was at least an opportunity for her to provide clarity on her recent struggles. Somehow, the manner of her exit only generated further questions.
Still, Raducanu did explain the nature of her post-viral illness, which has affected her for two months. She had tried to push through a virus for much of February, but by March those symptoms still had not abated: “Post-viral, it’s quite hard, you feel drained, you feel tired, no energy, it’s difficult and it lingered for quite a while,” she said. “Right now I wouldn’t say I’m 100%. 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.”
On Tuesday evening, Raducanu was also asked if she had considered skipping the clay-court season and heading straight to the grass, a decision she controversially made in 2024. Her outlook on clay, her least favourite surface, has evolved: “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. And it’s great for game development, for physical development, using your legs in a different way and loading. And I think it’s good for me as a player to be on the clay and spend time on it.”
Q&A
Why did Emma Raducanu withdraw from the Italian Open?
Emma Raducanu withdrew due to ongoing issues related to a post-viral illness that has affected her for two months.
What is the nature of Emma Raducanu's post-viral illness?
Raducanu described her post-viral illness as causing significant fatigue and a lack of energy, making it difficult to compete at her usual level.
How long has Emma Raducanu been absent from competition?
Emma Raducanu's absence from competition has now extended to over two months.
What are Emma Raducanu's thoughts on playing on clay courts?
Raducanu believes that spending time on clay courts is beneficial for her long-term game development, despite it being her least favorite surface.
