Emma Raducanu exits Italian Open abruptly following press conference

Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Italian Open owing to ongoing post‑viral problems, the news coming less than half an hour after she gave upbeat media interviews.

Raducanu had been at the Foro Italico for several days, hitting practice balls with other competitors and, having received a bye as a seeded player, was due to play her second‑round match against Solana Sierra or a qualifier.

On Tuesday evening she fulfilled her mandatory pre‑tournament media commitments, discussing her progress after a difficult spell. “The first two months were quite tough,” she said. “I wasn’t feeling at my best physically, and the issue seemed to linger. Over the past three weeks I think I’ve turned a corner and I feel much better.”

She added, “That’s a positive development for me. I feel strong on court, I sense that each day I’m working toward something. The break has left me motivated, eager and happy to be back training and delivering solid sessions every day.”

Less than thirty minutes later the tournament supervisor announced at 7 p.m. local time that Raducanu had withdrawn. WTA and ATP rules require players who withdraw on‑site to undertake at least one post‑withdrawal activity, such as media availability, to avoid a fine. Had she not spoken to the press, Raducanu would have faced a $15,000 (£11,000) penalty for non‑compliance.

It is not uncommon for players to pull out a day or two after fulfilling media duties, but most would normally withdraw before addressing the situation in a press conference.

Raducanu’s exit means her time away from the tour will exceed two months. Britain’s top‑ranked player began battling a virus during the Middle East swing in February, and the symptoms had not subsided by early March. After a disappointing showing at Indian Wells in March – a 6‑1, 6‑1 loss to Amanda Anisimova in the third round – she chose to stay off the circuit for an extended period.

This season has been another challenging one for Raducanu, who started with a foot injury before the illness struck. She had seemed to regain form in recent weeks, briefly reuniting with her former coach Andrew Richardson to sharpen her match fitness at the Ferrer academy in Benidorm. When asked whether the difficulties were mentally draining, she replied optimistically.

“Potentially [draining mentally],” she said. “When you have things going on, you work on them each day; it stays in your mind. Physically, though, I feel good – I have no niggling issues and can put in solid days. I approach every shot with purpose, and I have plenty of energy and drive inside.”