Emma Raducanu receives wildcard for Strasbourg International
Emma Raducanu is set to step up her preparations for the French Open after being handed a wildcard into next week’s Strasbourg International, reports BritPanorama.
The 23-year-old has not played since her third-round defeat to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells in March. However, the British No 1 is now poised to make her long-awaited return to the court at the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg, which begins on Sunday. This tournament represents Raducanu’s final opportunity to gain valuable match practice before the French Open gets underway on May 24.
Raducanu had been scheduled to compete at the Italian Open earlier this month but withdrew on health grounds as she continued to recover from a post-viral infection. In recent statements, she has emphasized her determination not to rush back to competition until she feels “100 per cent ready.” Her absence means she is likely to miss out on a seeded position at Roland Garros.
Currently ranked world No 30, the 2021 US Open champion is expected to slip down the rankings following this week’s tournaments in Rome and Paris, leaving her vulnerable to a challenging draw in the second Grand Slam of the season. Strasbourg has been a positive venue for Raducanu in the past, as she was awarded a wildcard into the tournament last year, defeating Daria Kasatkina, then a top-20 player, before her run was curtailed by Danielle Collins.
This season, Raducanu has shown glimpses of her potential despite an interrupted schedule, having won seven of her 14 matches so far. Her strongest performance came at the Transylvania Open in February, where she reached the final after a second-round exit at the Australian Open. As she heads into the French Open, there is hope that she can recapture the form that led to her remarkable Grand Slam victory in 2021, when she defeated Leylah Fernandez.
With each passing match, Raducanu’s return to form will be crucial not only for her own prospects but also for the continued prominence of British tennis on the international stage.
