Emma Raducanu’s representatives have confirmed that she has postponed the beginning of her clay-court schedule to allow for continued recuperation from a viral infection.
The top-ranked British player was scheduled to compete in Austria at the Linz Open in the coming week, but BBC Sport received information on Wednesday that she has pulled out of the WTA 500 competition.
Sources indicate that the 23-year-old Raducanu intends to prioritize a complete recovery prior to her return to competitive play on clay surfaces.
The 28th-ranked player globally began experiencing health issues during the hard-court events in the Middle East in February. She participated in Indian Wells the previous month, but subsequently opted not to compete in Miami.
This situation has introduced another phase of instability for Raducanu. Her professional journey has been marked by numerous injuries and physical challenges ever since her remarkable Grand Slam victory in New York as a qualifier in her teens.
During the previous season, she demonstrated significant progress, participating in 50 matches within a single season for the first time in her career.
However, the commencement of this year has again been inconsistent. The first quarter has presented a typical combination of promising developments, tough losses, a change in coaching staff, and interruptions due to her health.
