Raducanu Could Face Gauff in Rome

Emma Raducanu has been drawn to potentially face Solana Sierra or a qualifier in round two of the Italian Open in Rome as she returns to competition for the first time since March and begins her only clay-court event this season.

Raducanu, ranked world No. 30, has a first-round bye and will open against Argentina’s world No. 72 Solana Sierra or a qualifier. A third-round meeting with Coco Gauff is the most likely next hurdle, with Mirra Andreeva the highest-ranked potential quarter-final opponent. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is in the same half of the draw as Raducanu.

F - Rybakina / Swiatek / Svitolina / Pegula

Raducanu has been sidelined since Indian Wells after a viral illness, recently withdrew from the Madrid Open with a right-hand injury and has not yet played on clay this year. Last year she reached the fourth round in Rome before losing to Gauff.

Preparation and coaching

Raducanu spent time training last week at the Ferrer Tennis Academy near Alicante with Andrew Richardson, who coached her when she won the US Open as a qualifier. Since splitting from Francisco Roig she has mainly worked with hitting partner Alexis Canter, briefly reunited with Mark Petchey at Indian Wells, and is currently being guided in Rome by childhood coach Jane O'Donoghue.

British rankings (May 4)

5. Jack Pinnington Jones - 137

Notes on other British players: Katie Boulter, who reached the quarter-finals in Rouen and won a match in Madrid, opens against Germany’s Eva Lys. Cameron Norrie has started 2026 strongly—making the third round at the Australian Open and reaching quarters at Indian Wells and Barcelona—has regained the British No. 1 spot and returned to the top 20; he also has a first-round bye. Jacob Fearnley, Jan Choinski, Jack Pinnington Jones and Billy Harris are attempting to reach the main draw through qualifying.

Men’s picture

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are placed so they can only meet in the final. Djokovic is making his first appearance since March, when he lost to Jack Draper at Indian Wells. If Sinner wins at the Foro Italico he would join Djokovic as the only men to complete the Career Golden Masters; Djokovic has already won all nine ATP Masters 1000 events twice.

When and how to watch

The women's draw begins Tuesday, May 5, with the men's starting Wednesday, May 6. The tournament runs through finals weekend on May 16-17. Day sessions start at 10:00am and evening sessions at 6:00pm. Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Tennis and via streaming options.