Emma Raducanu has been absent ever since her first-round exit in Madrid Open, but now we finally have an update.
After all, with Roland Garros just around the corner and no sign of the 21-year-old in the Rome Open, which concluded with another Iga Swiatek title, many were starting to question her whereabouts after a strong start to the clay-court season.
There was hope that she might be able to build upon that in the French Open, before the wild cards were released and it was revealed that she would not be getting one.
So, forced into the qualifying of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since she won the 2021 US Open title, this was uncharted territory for the Briton, who was still yet to confirm her attendance at the event.
Emma Raducanu delivers French Open update
Well, now she has.
As reported by BBC Sport, Emma Raducanu will not be taking up the option to enter Roland Garros qualifying, instead opting to skip the tournament altogether.
In a decision that will have stunned many, we are given no further reasoning as to why she would take up this option when just being on court in the qualifying rounds would have marked a benefit for her as she seeks to return to fitness.
The report reads: ‘Britain’s Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from this week’s French Open qualifying. The 21-year-old, who won the US Open title in 2021, remains third alternate for the main draw at Roland Garros.
‘No reason has been given for her withdrawal. Qualifying starts on Monday and the French Open begins on 26 May. Raducanu was not awarded a wildcard for the clay-court Grand Slam.’
Emma Raducanu had enjoyed a promising clay-court season
This will have shocked many, but with Raducanu admitting she was exhausted in Madrid after losing easily to María Lourdes Carlé, it does make some sense.
Perhaps her conditioning remains off ever since returning from injury, or maybe she has picked up another niggle.
After all, last year did see her suffer through three different surgeries, so a year of steady recovery as she seeks to regain her footing on the WTA was expected.
However, at this point, speculation will be rife.
Raducanu could likely address the public sooner rather than later with a further update, but for now we remain in the dark over why the one-time Grand Slam champion has opted out of the second Grand Slam of the year.
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