In an effort to salvage Roland Garros preparations after her strange withdrawal from the Italian Open, Emma Raducanu is aiming for a comeback in Strasbourg.
Just minutes after informing media that she had “turned a corner” in her recuperation from the chest ailment that had kept her off the court since February, the British No. 1 caused consternation on Tuesday when she withdrew from the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome.
Naturally, with her most recent defeat, concerns about her participation in this month’s French Open have grown. However, sources told Daily Mail Sport that she plans to compete in the WTA 500 event at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, which begins on May 17.
Raducanu is severely short on time for a competitive clay-court match before the second Slam of the year because it is a week before the French Open.
Raducanu is not currently on the official Strasbourg entry list, although it is anticipated that the former US Open champion will be granted a wildcard.
The bizarre situations surrounding her departure have caused frustration with her most recent attempt at a comeback.
Emma Raducanu, as seen in a photo she shared on Instagram last week,
In an interview with British media on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the 23-year-old expressed optimism about her health, saying that while she wasn’t “100 percent,” she was prepared to return after overcoming the lingering affects of her sickness.
“In the beginning, it was quite difficult,” Raducanu had stated during the Tuesday interviews. My physical condition wasn’t the best, and I believe it has been there for some time.On the other hand, I feel like I’ve made a significant improvement over the past three weeks, which is incredibly encouraging for me.
“On the court, I feel fantastic.” I feel like I’m working for something every day. I’m extremely eager and excited to be out here training and producing amazing sessions every day after the break, which has given me a lot of motivation.
Thirty minutes later, Raducanu confirmed her withdrawal from the tournament after fulfilling her media commitments and avoided the prospect of a Tour fine.
It was yet another enigmatic episode of her season. Raducanu separated from her coach Francisco Roig after leaving in the second round in Melbourne due to a foot issue that occurred before the year’s first Slam at the Australian Open.
She was struck by illness in February after making it to her first WTA-level final in five years at the Winners Open in Romania.
Since then, she has had a brief reunion with Andrew Richardson, the coach who helped her win the US Open before they split up, but that relationship will not be used formally.
