Raducanu to return at Strasbourg after two-month absence

Emma Raducanu will make her WTA Tour return next week at the Internationaux de Strasbourg after a two-month break caused by a post-viral illness.

The 23-year-old British No. 1 last competed at Indian Wells in March. She first fell unwell in February and subsequently pulled out of four consecutive events while recovering. Raducanu travelled to Rome and practised ahead of the Italian Open but decided she was not ready to compete and withdrew.

Strasbourg has given her a wild card, offering valuable clay-court match time ahead of the French Open, which starts on May 24. Raducanu also received a wild card for Strasbourg last year and reached the second round; the tournament welcomed her back on social media as the 2021 US Open champion returning to its clay courts.

It has been a challenging start to the season for Raducanu. She spent the early months dealing with a foot problem and is currently without a coach after splitting with Francisco Roig following the Australian Open.

Speaking about her illness while in Rome, Raducanu described the effect of the post-viral condition: 'Post-viral, it's quite hard. You feel drained, you feel tired, no energy. It's difficult, and it lingered for quite a while.' She added that she was still rebuilding: '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.'

Despite the setbacks, she sounded optimistic about her recovery: '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.

Her appearance in Strasbourg will be watched closely as preparation for Roland Garros and a next step in regaining full fitness and form.