Hours After Her Controversial Press Conference, Emma Raducanu Takes a Shocking Step Ahead of the 2023 Madrid Open

Emma Raducanu is one player who lifted the hopes of British fans in the 2021 season after an unprecedented triumph at the US Open. However, her following seasons have not been going quite so well. Her performance on the WTA Tour hasn’t been up to par. This year, she was ousted in the Miami Open and the Stuttgart Open in the first round and was unable to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup. Now, in a shocking turn of events, she announced her withdrawal from the Mutua Madrid Open, hours before her first round. This move can have severe consequences on her rankings.  

Raducanu has been in and out of the Tour throughout this year, mainly due to injuries. She managed to play in the Australian Open but got eliminated in the second round. Her Indian Wells stint saw some spark, but it also ended in the fourth round. 

Emma Raducanu withdraws from the Madrid Open

Just hours before her opening round match in the Madrid Open, Emma Raducanu announced that she would be withdrawing from the event. She cited an injury in her right hand as the main reason. It could be a blessing in disguise for the Brit, as another loss in the first round would’ve seen her exit three tournaments back to back in the first round.

However, her withdrawal has certainly dashed the hopes of her fans. As of now, there is no news as to when she might come back to the court. Additionally, this withdrawal could mean that she could leave the top 100. Raducanu is ranked at number 85; a big fall from grace as she ended 2022 at rank 10.

Read more – WATCH: Emma Raducanu Gives a Glimpse of Her Mandarin After US Open 2021 Triumph

Her withdrawal was preceded by a peculiar press conference

Before her withdrawal, Raducanu attended the customary pre-tournament press conference. However, Raducanu did not make it easy for the interviewers as she gave short and to-the-point answers. The British player did not exceed a sentence as she answered all questions quickly. The entire press conference ended with Raducanu only speaking 58 words. 

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The former US Open champion’s will probably skip the entire clay-court swing and prepare for her home Grand Slam, the Wimbledon Championships. If she does get thrown out of the top 100, will she be able to bounce back? Let us know in the comments.