Emma Raducanu has had to postpone her return to the WTA tour, after coming down with illness.

Raducanu was supposed to be playing at the inaugural WTA 250 event in Austin, Texas, but has had to pull out due to tonsillitis.

The late withdrawal has come to the surprise of many fans, with a statement being released by the tournament on behalf of the British No.1.

“I’m sorry to have to withdraw from the ATX Open,” said Emma Raducanu. “I am currently suffering from tonsillitis and am unable to compete this week. Thank you to the tournament and the great hospitality here in Austin.”

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the tournament due to illness.
“I’m sorry to have to withdraw from the ATX Open,” Raducanu said. “I am currently suffering from tonsillitis and am unable to compete this week. Thank you to the tournament for the great hospitality here in Austin.”

— ATX Open (@AtxOpen) February 26, 2023

This withdrawal is another setback for Raducanu, who has had a difficult season so far, having played only four matches in 2023.

The 20-year-old kicked off her campaign in Auckland, where she made the second round before rolling her ankle, putting her Australian Open hopes in doubt.

Raducanu, and her team, ‘expedited the process’ to ensure that she would be fit for the first major of the year, where she beat Tamara Korpatsch in the first round before falling to seventh seed Coco Gauff.

The 2021 US Open champion announced that she would be making her return at the ATX Open, but this withdrawal means that she is expected to come back at Indian Wells, which begins on the 8th March.

Raducanu received a wildcard for the tournament named by many as the ‘fifth Grand Slam’, with it being unclear whether she could gain direct entry with her current ranking.

The No.81 will stay in Austin and then head to California for Indian Wells, according to her management team.

Before playing in the Indian Wells singles main draw, Raducanu will partner fellow British No.1 Cameron Norrie in the Eisenhower Cup, in a mixed doubles edition of the charity exhibition event.