Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has withdrawn from Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals squad for the event in Shenzhen, China, from September 16-21, 2025, choosing instead to compete in the WTA 500 Korea Open in Seoul during the same week. Announced on September 5, 2025, via *Sky Sports* and *Tennis365*, Raducanu accepted a wildcard into the Korea Open, prioritizing her individual WTA schedule and recovery under new coach Francisco Roig over national team duties. This marks her second absence from the Billie Jean King Cup in 2025, having skipped qualifiers against Germany and the Netherlands in April to focus on training, citing physical management after a Miami Open quarterfinal run (*The Guardian*).
Raducanu’s decision, described as “tough” by her team, per *Express.co.uk*, reflects her need to balance her health and career trajectory following a foot injury that forced her retirement during the 2024 Korea Open quarterfinals (*tennis365.com*). The Korea Open, where she reached the semifinals in 2022, offers a chance to build momentum ahead of the WTA 1000 China Open (September 25-October 5). Her 2025 season has shown progress, with a Washington Open semifinal and a third-round US Open appearance, climbing to World No. 34 (*wtatennis.com*). Raducanu’s recent endorsement deal with Wild as their first global ambassador, per *The Mirror US*, further underscores her focus on individual commitments.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) expressed disappointment but backed the remaining squad of Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, and Jodie Burrage to face Japan, led by Naomi Osaka, in the quarterfinals on September 18 (*Express.co.uk*). Captain Anne Keothavong supported Raducanu, stating, “We respect Emma’s choice and remain confident in our team for Shenzhen” (*Sky Sports*). Fans on X expressed mixed reactions, with some criticizing her decision as a lack of national pride, while others defended her focus on health and rankings (*Tennis365*). Raducanu’s Billie Jean King Cup record remains strong, with three singles wins in 2024, but her withdrawal highlights her strategic shift toward personal goals as she eyes a strong 2026.
