Arabic version: إيما رادوكانو تعود إلى المنافسة ببطاقة دعوة في ستراسبورغ

British tennis star Emma Raducanu is set to make her comeback in Strasbourg after being granted a wildcard entry. The 23-year-old has not competed for more than two months, having withdrawn from the Italian Open on health grounds earlier this month. Raducanu’s last match was a third-round defeat to American Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells on 8 March.

The clay-court event in Strasbourg is scheduled to begin this Sunday, just one week before the French Open starts on 24 May. Raducanu’s absence from the tour, caused by a post-viral infection, will likely prevent her from securing a seeded position at the second Grand Slam of the year. Currently ranked 30th in the world, she is expected to drop in the rankings following this week’s tournaments in Rome and Paris.

Last year, Raducanu also received a wildcard for the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg, where she achieved a notable victory over top-20 player Daria Kasatkina before losing to American Danielle Collins. In 2023, she has won seven out of her 14 matches, with four victories coming during her run to the final of the Transylvania Open in February.

Raducanu had not indicated she would withdraw from the Italian Open until shortly before the announcement was made, stating that she only wanted to return to competition when she felt “100% ready”. According to BBC News, her return to the court is highly anticipated as she prepares for the upcoming Grand Slam.