Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Great Britain’s squad for the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup qualifiers in order to “look after her body”.
The move comes after the British number two reached the quarter-finals of the Miami Open, before losing to eventual runner-up, American Jessica Pegula.
Her team said pulling out was a “difficult decision” to make, but that the 22-year-old has been advised to “look after her body” and will instead undertake a two to three-week training camp.
Raducanu was also due to join the likes of Elina Svitolina and Sofia Kenin for the clay-court WTA 250 in Rouen on 14 April, but after a busy three months, she will step away from WTA tournaments.
It is unclear when she intends to return to the court.
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It comes as the US Open 2021 champion has had a busy first three months of the year, featuring in seven events. She has also taken time off after she spotted a stalker in the crowd at the Dubai Open.
She was left in tears as she approached the umpire’s chair after the second game of her second-round match.
Great Britain is due to face the Netherlands and Germany from 10-12 April in the new round-robin qualifying format of the BJK Cup.
The squad is made up of captain Anne Keothavong, Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal alongside former world number 70 Harriet Dart and British doubles number one Olivia Nicholls.
Reacting to Raducanu’s withdrawal, Keothavong said she recognised it could not have been an easy decision to make.
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“Of course you always miss a player of her quality on the team, we’ve seen what she can do in the past representing her country, but I have the utmost belief in the players who are travelling next week and will confirm a fifth player in due course,” she told the Lawn Tennis Association.
It is unclear if Raducanu will be back in action for the big 1000 Madrid Open at La Caja Magica from 22 April to 4 May, or if she will skip the tournament ahead of the French Open, which begins on 25 May.
