Emma Raducanu has made the tough decision to withdraw from Great Britain’s squad for the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, opting to prioritize her physical well-being. The British tennis star, who recently impressed by reaching the quarter-finals at the Miami Open, has chosen to take a break from competition to focus on her health.
Raducanu, known for her sensational 2021 US Open triumph, has been battling a hectic schedule since the start of the 2025 season, playing in seven tournaments within the first three months. This demanding pace took its toll, particularly during her Miami Open quarter-final against Jessica Pegula, where Raducanu required medical attention. Acknowledging the physical strain, Raducanu and her team have decided to dedicate the next few weeks to rest and targeted fitness training. This will prepare her for the upcoming clay court season, which is notably challenging for her.
The young athlete’s representatives stated that Raducanu needed to “look after her body” to ensure she can continue competing at her best. As part of her recovery plan, Raducanu has also pulled out of the WTA tournament in Rouen, France, originally scheduled for mid-April. Instead, she will spend this period working on her fitness and conditioning to handle the rigors of the clay surface.
Anne Keothavong, Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup captain, expressed her support for Raducanu’s decision. “I know this was not an easy choice for Emma,” she said. “Naturally, we will miss her talent and presence on the team, but I have full confidence in the other players who will be competing. We’ll announce a fifth player soon.”
The current GB squad for the qualifiers includes Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart, and Olivia Nicholls. A fifth member will join them as they head to The Hague, Netherlands, for the qualifiers from April 10 to 12. In this newly introduced round-robin format, Great Britain needs to top their group to progress to the Finals later this year. The competition schedule features Germany versus the Netherlands on April 10, followed by Great Britain against Germany on April 11 and Great Britain versus the Netherlands on April 12.
Raducanu’s decision comes after a series of physical struggles last year, including wrist injuries that led to surgeries on both wrists and her ankle. These setbacks forced her to miss significant parts of the 2023 season. Determined to avoid repeating such issues, Raducanu is focusing on building a stronger, more resilient body to withstand the demands of professional tennis.
Looking ahead, Raducanu plans to return to competition at the Madrid Open starting on April 22, followed by the French Open beginning on May 25. The focus during her training block will be to enhance her physical endurance, especially considering the taxing nature of clay courts.
Fans and analysts alike respect Raducanu’s mature decision to prioritize her long-term fitness. As a young player who has already experienced significant career highs and challenges, Raducanu’s proactive approach signals her commitment to a sustainable and successful future in the sport. Supporters are hopeful that the break will allow her to come back stronger, ready to take on the clay court season with renewed energy and confidence.
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