Anne Keothavong says how she ‘naturally’ feels about Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team

Emma Raducanu has officially withdrawn from Great Britain’s upcoming Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup qualifiers, opting to focus on her physical well-being ahead of a demanding clay and grass court season.

The 22-year-old recently made headlines at the Miami Open, reaching the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time since her 2021 US Open triumph. Her run came to an end at the hands of world No. 5 Jessica Pegula.

Shortly after the Miami campaign, it was confirmed that Raducanu would not be joining Team GB for their BJK Cup ties. According to her representatives, the decision was made to prioritize her body’s recovery and preparation for the upcoming schedule.

As a result, Jodie Burrage has been called up to join a strong British lineup featuring Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart, and Olivia Nicholls. The team will face Germany and the Netherlands in this round of qualifiers.

Speaking ahead of the matches, team captain Anne Keothavong expressed her sentiments regarding Raducanu’s absence:

“Yeah, naturally disappointed,” Keothavong admitted. “But I understand where she’s coming from. She gave a lot to this team last year and was a huge part of our success.

“That said, I’ve got five players here who are highly motivated and well-prepared. I hope Emma will be part of the team again in the future.”

Raducanu played a pivotal role in last year’s campaign, winning all five of her matches and helping Great Britain reach the semi-finals.

What’s Next for Raducanu?

In addition to withdrawing from the BJK Cup, Raducanu has also pulled out of the WTA 250 event in Rouen, France. Her next scheduled appearance is at the Madrid Open, which begins on April 22.

The world No. 47 has previously reached the third round in Madrid but exited in the first round last year. She’s also slated to compete at the Italian Open, though her only appearance there ended in retirement during a match against Bianca Andreescu in 2022.

Her clay-court schedule will lead into Roland Garros, the season’s second Grand Slam. Raducanu skipped the French Open last year to focus on the grass season.

Raducanu’s Clay-Court Grand Slam Record:

It remains unclear whether Raducanu will have a coach in Madrid. Mark Petchey supported her in Miami, but no confirmation has been made regarding ongoing collaboration.

The WTA main draw in Madrid begins Tuesday, April 22.