Emma Raducanu Withdraws from Linz Open Due to Illness

Emma Raducanu, the British number one and current world number 28, has officially withdrawn from the WTA 500 event scheduled in Linz, Austria, next week due to illness. This decision was communicated to BBC Sport on Wednesday.

Raducanu, 23, is prioritizing her full recovery before returning to competitive tennis. She began feeling unwell during the February hard court swing in the Middle East, where she competed in Indian Wells last month.

Her withdrawal follows a period of uncertainty in her career, marked by injuries and physical issues since her Grand Slam title win at the US Open in 2021. Raducanu has participated in six tournaments this season, achieving four wins and reaching the final of the Transylvania Open.

She hopes to return for the Madrid Open, a WTA 1000 event, later in the European clay court season. Additionally, fellow Briton Jack Draper is also cautiously managing his comeback following an arm injury.