The Italian Open 2026 set to be held from May 5 to May 17, at the Foro Italico in Rome, has been hit by a wave of high-profile departures, leaving the bracket at the Foro Italico looking a lot different than last year. Emma Raducanu’s sudden exit, coming just minutes after an optimistic press conference, has become the face of a larger injury crisis that has seen over 10 big stars pull out of the tournament, including Carlos Alcaraz.
Why did Emma Raducanu withdraw from Italian Open 2026?
The British No. 1’s withdrawal on Tuesday, May 5, was particularly jarring due to its timing. Just 30 minutes prior, Raducanu had conducted upbeat media interviews, stating she “felt great on the court” and was “hungry and happy to be out here.” However, the post-viral illness that has plagued her season since February ultimately forced her hand.
Todavía no está al 100 físicamente🥴
Emma Raducanu🇬🇧 se bajó del torneo de Roma, aún cuando tenia días entrenándose en el complejo #IBI26 pic.twitter.com/DTDO706lTi
— Iván Aguilar (@ivabianconero) May 5, 2026
Reports from The Guardian suggest that Raducanu conducted her mandatory pre-tournament media obligations maybe to avoid a $15,000 fine for non-compliance with on-site withdrawal rules. Having not played a competitive match since Indian Wells in early March, her team decided her physical resilience was not yet high enough to handle the intensity of a WTA 1000 event on clay.
Who have withdrawn from the Italian Open 2026?
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Jack Draper: The British star pulled out to manage his physical workload following a recent arm injury, also announcing he will skip the French Open.
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Taylor Fritz: The World No. 7 is sidelined with ongoing physical issues, choosing to prioritize recovery for the grass season.
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Marketa Vondrousova: The former Wimbledon champion remains on hiatus for personal and physical reasons.
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Holger Rune: Continues to recover from a long-term Achilles tendon injury.
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Other notable withdrawals: Gabriel Diallo, Reilly Opelka, Sonay Kartal, Veronika Kudermetova, Raphael Collignon, and Emma Navarro (who has also struggled with health issues recently).
