Emma Raducanu has been awarded a wildcard for the Madrid Open as she looks to continue her successful start to the clay season. After winning four consecutive matches on clay at the Billie Jean King Cup and the Stuttgart Open, Raducanu has moved up 82 places in the WTA rankings. She will be looking to build on this momentum in Madrid, where she was originally scheduled to play against Karolina Pliskova. However, after Pliskova withdrew from the tournament, Raducanu’s match was rescheduled for Wednesday, April 24. She will be facing qualifier Maria Lourdes Carle in her opening match.
Raducanu’s potential path in Madrid includes a match against 17th seed Veronika Kudermetova if she wins her opener. She could then face eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko in the third round. British No. 1 Katie Boulter also has a first-round bye and will face either Robin Montgomery or Elina Avanesyan in her opener. The winner of that match could play world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the last 32. Harriet Dart has qualified for the main draw and will open against Cristina Bucsa in her first-round match. Raducanu’s return to Madrid this year marks a significant milestone as it was the last tournament she visited before undergoing surgery a year ago.
Reflecting on her progress since her surgery, Raducanu expressed confidence in her current form and mindset. She feels that she is playing well and has been steadily gaining confidence week by week. Despite the challenges of adapting to outdoor conditions and facing tough competition, Raducanu is excited for the upcoming clay season. She has zero points to defend for the rest of the year, which relieves some pressure and allows her to focus on her development as a player. Looking ahead, Raducanu is set to compete in the Italian Open and the French Open, where she will continue to showcase her talent and determination.
Raducanu’s match in Madrid against Maria Lourdes Carle is scheduled as the third match on Arantxa Sanchez Stadium, likely starting around 2pm UK time. With her recent success on clay and improved ranking, Raducanu is poised to make an impact in the Madrid Open and beyond. Her journey from surgery to playing some of her best tennis since winning the US Open in 2021 is a testament to her resilience and dedication to the sport. As she navigates the challenges of the clay season and prepares for upcoming tournaments, Raducanu remains focused and determined to continue her upward trajectory in the world of professional tennis.
