Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from representing Great Britain in next week’s Billie Jean King Cup fixtures to undertake a training block. The 22-year-old is coming off an impressive run at the Miami Open, where she reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula.
Raducanu was due to play for Great Britain in their upcoming matches against Germany and the Netherlands. Last month, she was named in the five-player squad alongside Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart and Olivia Nicholls. However, it has been revealed that she will not be taking part after all.
The former US Open champion has withdrawn from the group to undertake a training block of several weeks. Her replacement in the Great Britain squad is yet to be named, with an announcement set to be made in the near future.
Raducanu’s team explained that pulling out of the British squad was a ‘difficult decision’ for her to make, adding: “She needs a little space in the calendar to best look after her body.”
Meanwhile, team captain Anne Keothavong said: “I recognise this has been a difficult decision for Emma. Of course you always miss a player of her quality on the team.
“We’ve seen what she can do in the past representing her country, but I have the utmost belief in the players who are travelling next week and will confirm a fifth player in due course.”
Raducanu’s return date is yet to be confirmed, meaning her immediate future is uncertain. However, the young Brit is expected to feature at next month’s French Open, where she will be hoping to build on her positive displays in 2025 so far.
She is also on the lookout for a new coach, having been without one since the early stages of the Miami Open. A brief trial period with Vladimir Platenik came to an end following her first-round victory over Japanese teenager Sayaka Ishii.
Martina Navratilova believes the sky will be the limit for Raducanu if she can find stability in her team after years of chopping and changing her coaches.
“Hopefully she can sort out her coaching situation because she’s been in a state of flux,” said the 68-year-old during the Miami Open.
“I think she needs to commit to somebody and stay with them for a little bit, see how that works,” she added. “If she played like she did against Pegula, then the sky is the limit.”
