Emma Raducanu Withdraws from Billie Jean King Cup to Compete in Seoul

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from Great Britain’s team for this month’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen to play on the WTA Tour.

Decision to Prioritize Tour Event

Raducanu accepted a wildcard for the Korea Open in Seoul, choosing to concentrate on tour competition and her partnership with new coach Francisco Roig. The 22-year-old believes this move will better support her long-term development.

New Coaching Partnership

Roig joined Raducanu’s team on a trial basis during the Cincinnati Open and accompanied her to New York, where she reached the third round of the US Open. Earlier this year, she also missed the qualifying round in The Hague to train with coach Mark Petchey in Los Angeles.

Implications for Great Britain’s Campaign

Without its top player, Great Britain faces a tougher route in Shenzhen. Raducanu won all three of her singles matches when GB reached the semi-finals in 2023. Captain Anne Keothavong can name two replacements, with world No. 89 Frances Jones expected to join Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage for the quarter-final tie against Japan on 18 September.

Calendar Changes and Ranking Considerations

The International Tennis Federation moved the finals forward to September to attract top players at the start of the Asian swing. Raducanu has ranking points to defend from her 2023 quarter-final run in Seoul, but no other points at stake, making a top-32 seed for January’s Australian Open increasingly likely. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova are among the entrants in Seoul, which begins on 15 September.

Raducanu’s decision underlines her focus on personal progression and the impact her absence will have on Great Britain’s bid in Shenzhen.

This topic was reported by BBC Sport.

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