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Emma Raducanu to make playing return at Internationaux de Strasbourg after two-month absence from WTA Tour due to illness

British No 1 has not played since a third-round exit at Indian Wells in early March due to post-viral illness; Raducanu granted wildcard as she seeks matches before French Open; watch the Internationaux de Strasbourg live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ from Monday

Wednesday 13 May 2026 11:04, UK

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in action with partner Elena Gabriela Ruse of Romania against Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic and Ta
Image: Emma Raducanu last featured in defeat at the third round at Indian Wells

Emma Raducanu is set to make her return to WTA Tour action next week in Strasbourg after a two-month absence through illness.

The British No 1 has not played a tournament since Indian Wells in March because of a post-viral illness after she first fell unwell in February, pulling out of four successive events.

Raducanu travelled to Rome and practised ahead of the current Italian Open but ultimately decided she was not quite ready to return.

Taking a wild card into Strasbourg means the 23-year-old will gain valuable time on the clay ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 24.

Raducanu also received a wild card into the tournament 12 months ago, reaching the second round, and an announcement from the tournament on social media reading: "Welcome back, Emma! The 2021 US Open champion will be back on the clay courts in Strasbourg."

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It has been another difficult start to a season health-wise for Raducanu, who began 2026 battling to recover from a foot problem, while she is also without a coach having split from Francisco Roig following the Australian Open.

Speaking to reporters in Rome about her illness, the former US Open champion said: "Post-viral, it's quite hard. You feel drained, you feel tired, no energy. It's difficult, and it lingered for quite a while.

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"Right now, I wouldn't say I'm 100 per cent. I'm still building my way back. It is difficult to then kind of maintain it."

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Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Italian Open, citing post-viral illness, just minutes after speaking to Sky Sports looking ahead to the event.

Raducanu sounded positive about her recovery, though, adding: "I think I've really turned a corner and I feel so much better. I feel great on the court."

Raducanu is currently ranked 30th in the world.

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