Emma Raducanu has been drawn to face Solana Sierra or a qualifier within the second spherical of the Italian Open in Rome as she prepares for her event since March and her first on clay this 12 months.
Raducanu is ready to compete in her first WTA Tour occasion since Indian Wells having prolonged her absence attributable to a viral sickness.
The British No 1 just lately pulled out of the Mutua Madrid Open citing an harm to her proper hand and is but to play a single match of the clay-court swing.
She is going to open her marketing campaign in opposition to both world No 72 Solana from Argentina or a qualifier, having been handed a bye into spherical two.
The world No 30 will probably come up in opposition to the reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff within the third spherical, with Madrid Open finalist Mirra Andreeva the highest-ranked potential opponent within the quarter-finals.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is in the identical half of the draw as Raducanu.
The Brit loved her greatest run on the event final 12 months, reaching the fourth spherical earlier than Gauff knocked her out.
Sky Sports activities’ Tim Henman and Martina Navratilova debate if Emma Raducanu must decide to a long-term coach and enhance her off-court physicality to achieve her full potential
Raducanu frolicked coaching final week in Spain with Andrew Richardson on the Ferrer Tennis Academy close to Alicante, the place he’s primarily based.
Richardson was the coach who was by her facet when she famously lifted the US Open title as a qualifier nearly 5 years in the past.
She has labored primarily with hitting companion Alexis Canter because the cut up from Francisco Roig, though she did briefly flip once more to Mark Petchey at Indian Wells in March.
The 23-year-old is at present working beneath the steering of childhood coach Jane O’Donoghue in Rome as she prepares for her comeback.
British No 3 Katie Boulter can be hoping to proceed her promising begin to the clay-court season having reached the quarter-finals in Rouen and picked up a victory on the Madrid Open.
She is going to open in opposition to German Eva Lys.
Cameron Norrie has had a stable begin to 2026 up to now – reaching the third spherical on the Australian Open, quarter-finals at Indian Wells and Barcelona, regaining the British No 1 title and returning to the highest 20.
The 2-time ATP title-winner on clay has a first-round bye, whereas Jacob Fearnley, Jan Choinski, Jack Pinnington Jones and Billy Harris are all making an attempt to achieve the principle draw by way of qualifying.
Highlights of the Madrid Open ultimate between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev
World No 1 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic can solely meet within the ultimate.
The Serb is ready to make his first look since March, when he misplaced to Jack Draper at Indian Wells.
Ought to Sinner triumph on the Foro Italico, he would be a part of Djokovic as the one males to finish the Profession Golden Masters.
The 38-year-old Djokovic has gained all 9 ATP Masters 1000 occasions twice.
When is the Italian Open 2026?
Highlights of the 2025 Italian Open ultimate match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
The ladies’s draw will get beneath approach on Tuesday, Could 5, with the boys’s set to begin from Wednesday, Could 6 – dwell on Sky Sports activities Tennis.
The occasion will run till finals weekend on Could 16 and 17.
Day periods will start at 10am, with night periods beginning at 6pm.
Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions, dwell on Sky Sports activities or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this 12 months at no further price. Discover out extra right here.
