Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Linz Open due to a viral illness, delaying her clay-court season. The British number one and world number 28 was scheduled to compete at the WTA 500 event in Austria next week but has prioritized full recovery over competition.

Raducanu, 23, began feeling unwell during February's Middle East hard-court swing. She managed to play at Indian Wells last month before choosing to skip the Miami tournament. This latest withdrawal continues a pattern of health disruptions since her Grand Slam victory as a teenage qualifier in New York.

Last season offered encouragement as Raducanu completed 50+ matches in a season for the first time. However, this year has delivered a stuttered start with familiar themes emerging: signs of progress mixed with defeats, a coaching change, and ongoing physical issues that have defined her post-US Open career.