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Can Emma Raducanu still play at French Open after qualifying withdrawal?

Can Emma Raducanu still play at French Open after qualifying withdrawal?
© Reuters
Sports Mole looks at whether Emma Raducanu can still play at the French Open after her withdrawal from the qualifying competition.

Fans of Emma Raducanu desperate to catch a glimpse of the 21-year-old in French Open action may be left disappointed, as she has seemingly withdrawn from Roland-Garros qualifying.

The 2021 US Open champion was initially on the list of players who would be forced to go through the preliminary rounds to make it to the main draw, having missed out on a precious wildcard, but her name no longer appears on the qualifying list.

There has been no official word from Raducanu's camp or the French Open organisers as to why the Briton has pulled out, as she had started to build up a head of steam in her comeback season with promising performances at the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers and Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

However, Raducanu has not been in action since a humbling Madrid Open defeat to Argentina's Maria Lourdes Carle, where she put in a truly underwhelming display and admitted to mental and physical exhaustion afterwards.

Can Raducanu still compete at the French Open?

Even though the world number 212 cannot earn her main-draw ticket via qualifying anymore, not all hope is lost, as she is one of the top alternates and could still make it to Roland-Garros if there are enough withdrawals.

Thanks to a special ranking of 103 - allowing players entry into tournaments following a lengthy absence through injury or illness - Raducanu is the third alternate for Roland-Garros behind Sara Errani and Arina Rodionova.

Emma Raducanu pictured at the Australian Open on January 18, 2024© Reuters

As a result, Raducanu will be promoted to the main draw if there are three withdrawals, but that would have to occur before qualifying begins at 9am on Monday, a highly unlikely scenario.

Of course, the former British number one may have pulled out due to a fitness setback yet to be disclosed to the public, but either way, her chances of competing for Grand Slam crown number two are now slim to none.

Who will be competing for GB at Roland-Garros?

Despite Raducanu's withdrawal, GB will still be represented in the women's main draw by national number one Katie Boulter - seeded 27th - Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage, the latter of whom replaced the absent Karolina Muchova.

Heather Watson and Lily Miyazaki could also join them should they progress through qualifying, although only 16 of the 128 players entering the preliminary tournament will advance to the main draw.

Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie is the highest-seeded men's player for GB at 31, while Jack Draper, Dan Evans and Andy Murray - who made his comeback from an ankle injury at a recent Bordeaux challenger event - will be in first-round action too.

Following the start of the qualifying rounds on Monday, the French Open main draw begins on May 26, before the women's final on June 8 and the men's showpiece match on June 9.

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