Emma Raducanu withdraws from Italian Open with post-viral illness

ROME — Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to post-viral illness, less than half an hour after telling reporters that she thought she had “really turned a corner” and felt “so much better.”In a bizarre few minutes Tuesday night in Rome, Raducanu discussed her prospects at the event with a few reporters before the Italian Open tournament supervisor confirmed via email at 7 p.m. that she was withdrawing due to a post-viral illness. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., Raducanu finished her media briefing, in which she told reporters, “I feel great on the court. I feel like every day I’m working towards something. The break has helped me feel really motivated coming back, very hungry and happy to be out here training and putting out great sessions every day.”Advertisement