Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the 2026 Italian Open due to illness.
The Briton hasn’t played a match since Indian Wells, 59 days ago.
Will Emma Raducanu play a match on clay this year?
Another withdrawal for the 2021 US Open champion…
Raducanu had hoped to play in Rome, but announced her withdrawal minutes after finishing her media duties.
Emma Raducanu told the media she was ‘good to go’ right before withdrawing from the Italian Open
During an interview with Sky Sports right before her withdrawal announcement, Raducanu provided a fitness update.
“I think it’s been a long few weeks since I last competed,” said Raducanu.
“I’ve made good progress, I’ve made good gains in the last few weeks, and I’m really feeling positive about where I’m headed, how I’m playing and what I’m doing on the court each day, and I feel motivated and I feel good to go, that’s a real win for me, and I’m just enjoying every day that I’m putting out.”
Raducanu then shared whether she was enjoying her tennis.
“I think I’ve found a spark in the last few weeks since I’ve started training again,” she said.
“I feel a big difference in how I approach every day, how much I’m enjoying it, and how much energy I’m putting into it, so I’m very motivated for the weeks ahead, for what’s to come, and it’s a great feeling to have again; that energy, that drive that wakes you up every morning to chase it, so I’m pleased to be in this way.”
The 2021 US Open champion was asked if she had lost her spark over recent weeks.
Emma Raducanu’s record (2026)
| Date | Match | Opponent | Result | Score |
| January 5 | United Cup – GS | Maria Sakkari | LOSS | 3-6, 6-3, 1-6 |
| January 13 | Hobart International – 1R | Camila Osorio | WIN | 6-3, 7-6 |
| January 14 | Hobart International – 2R | Magdalena Frech | Walkover | Walkover |
| January 15 | Hobart International – QF | Taylah Preston | LOSS | 2-6, 4-6 |
| January 18 | Australian Open – 1R | Mananchaya Sawangkaew | WIN | 6-4, 6-1 |
| January 21 | Australian Open – 2R | Anastasia Potapova | LOSS | 6-7, 2-6 |
| February 2 | Transylvania Open – 1R | Greet Minnen | WIN | 6-0, 6-4 |
| February 4 | Transylvania Open – 2R | Kaja Juvan | WIN | 7-5, 6-1 |
| February 5 | Transylvania Open – QF | Maja Chwalinska | WIN | 6-0, 6-4 |
| February 6 | Transylvania Open – SF | Oleksandra Oliynykova | WIN | 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 |
| February 7 | Transylvania Open – F | Sorana Cirstea | LOSS | 0-6, 2-6 |
| February 9 | Qatar Open – 1R | Camila Osorio | LOSS | 6-2, 4-6, 0-2 (RET) |
| February 16 | Dubai Tennis Championships – 1R | Antonia Ruzic | LOSS | 1-6, 7-5, 2-6 |
| March 6 | Indian Wells – 2R | Anastasia Zakharova | WIN | 6-1, 6-3 |
| March 8 | Indian Wells – 3R | Amanda Anisimova | LOSS | 1-6, 1-6 |
“I would say it’s more difficult when you’re week to week to maintain, and I think especially if you’re not necessarily playing the way you like, it’s hard to stay as motivated, whereas the way I’ve been training in the last few weeks, I feel really good about how everything is headed,” she said.
Raducanu claimed she was feeling ‘really good’, but was clearly not quite fit enough to return to action.
The question is, when will she be?
Emma Raducanu has important decision to make after Rome withdrawal
Raducanu has now missed a large chunk of the 2026 clay-court season.
Her rivals have all adapted to the surface, and many have already won titles on the red dirt.
WTA Players who have won clay-court titles (2026)
- Jessica Pegula (Charleston Open)
- Marie Bouzkova (Copa Colsanitas)
- Mirra Andreeva (Linz Open)
- Elena Rybakina (Stuttgart Open)
- Marta Kostyuk (Open de Rouen, Madrid Open)
Missing so much time, Raducanu is already playing catch-up.
Looking ahead to Roland Garros, the premier clay-court tournament, even the most positive of fans would be wary of backing Raducanu to make a deep run.
With that in mind, perhaps it would make sense for Raducanu to give up on clay this year.
That way, she will have time to recover fully, with no pressure, and plan her comeback on grass.
She showed real promise on grass last year, pushing Aryna Sabalenka close at Wimbledon after reaching the Queen’s quarter-finals.
With the home fans cheering her on, there is no reason why a fully fit Raducanu can’t make some noise at the All England Club in 2026.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Raducanu, but we certainly hope to see her back on court soon.
