Emma Raducanu suddenly withdraws from Italian Open after press conference

Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Italian Open in Rome due to ongoing post-viral illness, less than 30 minutes after speaking positively about her participation in pre-tournament press conferences. The British No 1, who had been absent from the circuit since March, had been practicing at the Foro Italico and was scheduled to play a second-round match against Solana Sierra or a qualifier, having received a bye as a seeded player. Her late withdrawal came as a surprise given her apparent readiness expressed during media interviews.