Emma Raducanu shares comeback target after pulling out of tournament despite saying she had 'turned a corner'

Emma Raducanu has set her sights on the WTA event in Strasbourg as her return to competitive tennis following a two-month absence caused by a post-viral illness.

Britain's leading female player pulled out of the Italian Open despite having travelled to Rome and trained at the Foro Italico.

The decision came in somewhat unusual circumstances, arriving shortly after Raducanu had delivered an optimistic assessment to journalists.

"I think I've really turned a corner, and I feel so much better. I feel great on the court," she said.

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The 23-year-old's withdrawal sparked concerns about her participation at Roland Garros, which gets underway on May 24.

However, she is understood to be aiming for the Internationaux de Strasbourg the week before, though she will require a wild card entry.

Raducanu's struggles began in early February when she first fell ill, but she continued competing despite her condition.

This resulted in disappointing early exits at tournaments in the Middle East and Indian Wells before she finally took a break from the circuit.

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The British number one subsequently withdrew from events in Miami, Linz and Madrid ahead of yesterday's announcement, leaving her with minimal preparation on clay surfaces before the season's second grand slam.

Her prospects of securing a Strasbourg wild card appear reasonable given that tournament organisers extended a late invitation to her last year.

On that occasion, she defeated Daria Kasatkina in the opening round before falling to Danielle Collins in the second.

Describing the challenges of recovering from her illness, Raducanu explained: "Post-viral, it's quite hard.

"You feel drained, you feel tired, no energy. It's difficult, and it lingered for quite a while.

"Right now, I wouldn't say I'm 100 per cent. I'm still building my way back. It is difficult to then kind of maintain it.

"Even if your tennis level is very high, it's difficult to maintain for the full duration of the match, so I think it was good to come here and practise and see how I'm doing in points."

She recently spent time working with Andrew Richardson in Spain, the man who steered her to that remarkable US Open triumph in 2021, though this appears to have been a temporary measure.

During her time in Rome, she was accompanied by Jane O'Donoghue, a former coach whom Raducanu regards as being like a big sister.

Her absence from Rome, where she progressed to the fourth round 12 months ago, will see her ranking drop below the top 32.

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