The British number one pulled out on Monday after post-viral symptoms from February’s Middle East swing refused to clear. She retired in Doha and exited early in Dubai. The issues persisted even after her Indian Wells campaign, where she reached the third round. Raducanu entered as the 24th seed with a first-round bye. Instead, she now focuses on recovery. Organizers confirmed her exit alongside other late changes, including fellow British player Sonay Kartal.
This absence adds to the instability that has defined her schedule. An off-season foot injury already cut into her preparation for the United Cup. She skipped Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup tie in Melbourne against Australia. The virus has now forced her out again in Florida.
Her results this year show flashes of potential. Raducanu reached the final at the WTA 250 event in Cluj-Napoca and picked up solid wins, including against Anastasia Zakharova at Indian Wells. Amanda Anisimova then beat her 6-1 6-1. Her win-loss record sits close to even, yet health setbacks have prevented longer runs.
She heads into this period without a permanent coach. She parted ways with Francisco Roig after the Australian Open and has relied on temporary support from Mark Petchey. The lack of continuity adds to the difficulty of building momentum on tour. The ranking implications hit hard. Currently the British number one and positioned around the top 25, she risks dropping spots that could affect her seeding at future events. She earned 215 points for reaching the Miami quarter-finals last year and will lose those now.
Raducanu has proven her ability to overcome major setbacks. Multiple surgeries on her wrists and ankles kept her out for much of 2023. She fought back into the top 30 last season with strong performances, including that Miami quarter-final run. Those experiences built the resilience she draws on now.
The Miami Open represented a chance to gain valuable hard-court matches before the switch to clay. With that opportunity gone, she will target a full recovery and aim for European clay events in April. Charleston could serve as an early test ahead of Madrid and Rome.
Her team confirmed the news through official WTA channels. No firm return date exists, but clearing the post-viral symptoms remains the clear priority. The 23-year-old 2021 US Open champion continues to draw attention for her talent and fighting spirit. Supporters will watch closely to see how quickly she can get back on track once healthy.
The Miami draw adjusts without her as the tournament kicks off. All eyes now turn to the players who remain in action. Raducanu’s year has shown the physical toll the tour can take. From the early foot problem to the persistent virus, each issue has required adjustments. She has stayed committed to competing when possible while protecting her long-term fitness.
Her previous comeback from surgery built the kind of determination many admire. Those same qualities will likely come into play as she prepares for the clay swing. The tennis community waits to see her next steps once she returns to full health.
