British No 1 pulls out at short notice with post-viral illness
Raducanu has been absent from circuit since March
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open because of her continued difficulties with post-viral illness, less than 30 minutes after positively discussing her presence in Rome during her pre-tournament media interviews.
Raducanu has spent the last few days competing at the Foro Italico, playing practice sets with other competitors and, having received a bye as a seeded player, she was scheduled to contest her second-round match against Solana Sierra or a qualifier.
On Tuesday evening, Raducanu conducted her mandatory pre-tournament media obligations, speaking about her progress after a tricky spell. “Last two months, in the beginning, it was quite difficult,” she said. “Wasn’t feeling the best physically. And I think it had just been lingering for a while. Whereas the last three weeks, I think I’ve really turned a corner and I feel so much better.
