Emma Raducanu, Britain’s top-ranked female tennis player, has announced her withdrawal from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals set to commence in Shenzhen, China, on September 16. Instead, she has opted to accept a wildcard entry for the Korea Open, where she aims to improve her current WTA singles ranking.
The 22-year-old made this pivotal decision shortly after suffering a disappointing exit in the third round of the US Open. Under the mentorship of her new coach, Francisco Roig, Raducanu is clearly prioritizing her development on the WTA Tour as she looks to foster a productive partnership with the experienced Spaniard. Roig, who previously collaborated with Rafael Nadal and significantly contributed to his remarkable success, joined Raducanu’s team just prior to her US Open campaign, marking a fresh start after a period of coaching volatility.
Raducanu expressed enthusiasm about her working relationship with Roig, describing him as both a supportive and fun presence on and off the court. “He’s a great person to have around. We share many laughs, which certainly makes a difference,” Raducanu noted recently. She emphasized the importance of patience in their process, acknowledging that while results may not come immediately, they are steadily building towards long-term success.
This decision is particularly impactful for Team Britain, as Raducanu has been a crucial player, leading her team to the semi-finals of last year’s Billie Jean King Cup and remaining unbeaten in singles during those finals. Her absence will be felt greatly, as she shifts her focus towards the upcoming WTA 500 event in Seoul.
In last year’s Korea Open, Raducanu reached the quarter-finals but was forced to retire against Daria Kasatkina due to foot issues after losing the first set 6-1. A year prior, she faced similar challenges, exiting early against the top seed, Jelena Ostapenko.
Meanwhile, the Billie Jean King Cup team, captained by Anne Keothavong, is gearing up for the competition. Four potential team members have been announced, including two players within the top 50 rankings: Katie Boulter (#41) and Sonay Kartal (#45), as well as Francesca Jones (#89) and Jodie Burrage (#116). Team GB, which advanced to this year’s finals after successful qualifiers against Germany and the Netherlands, is set to face Japan in the quarter-finals on September 18.
The Japanese squad includes four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, along with three other competitive players. The upcoming matches promise to deliver high-stakes tennis as both teams aspire for success in this prestigious tournament.
