Raducanu Withdraws from Linz Open for Recovery

Emma Raducanu, Britain's top-ranked female tennis player, has withdrawn from next week's Linz Open in Austria as she continues to recover from a viral illness that has lingered since early February. The 23-year-old, who won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, is prioritizing full rehabilitation before resuming competitive play, according to her team.

The decision marks Raducanu's latest step back from the WTA Tour amid ongoing postviral symptoms she developed during a tournament in Romania. She previously skipped the Miami Open and opted out of Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia to focus on her health. Her representatives emphasized that regaining fitness remains the primary goal for the world number 28, who has faced a series of physical setbacks since her breakthrough major title.

Raducanu's most recent match came on March 8 at Indian Wells, where she suffered a straight-sets 6-1, 6-1 defeat to Amanda Anisimova in the third round. The loss lasted just 52 minutes, with Raducanu managing only two winners and failing to earn a break point opportunity. Reflecting on the performance afterward, she acknowledged challenges with her power and aggression. "I...