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New Delhi: British No.1 Emma Raducanu has decided to step away from Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup squad this month, choosing instead to compete on the WTA Tour. The 22-year-old has accepted a wildcard into the Korea Open in Seoul, which runs from September 15 to 21 and will therefore miss the Cup quarter-final clash against Japan on September 18.
Raducanu was initially named in Britain’s line-up alongside Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal but her late withdrawal means the team will need a replacement. The frontrunner to grab the to be added by captain Anne Keothavong is World No. 89 Fran Jones.
For Raducanu, the decision is about long-term growth.She believes competing on the tour and working with new coach Francisco Roig is the best way to develop her game. Roig, formerly part of Rafael Nadal’s coaching team, started working with her on a trial basis in Cincinnati last month and continued through the US Open, where she made the third round.
This is not the first time Raducanu has skipped national duty for personal progress. Earlier this year, she missed the qualifying round in The Hague to train in Los Angeles with her then-coach Mark Petchey. While the decision boosts her preparation for upcoming events, it comes as a significant blow to Britain’s hopes in Shenzhen where the Finals will take place.
Raducanu was instrumental in Great Britain’s semi-final run last year in Malaga, winning all three of her singles matches. Without her, the team faces a tougher task against a strong Japanese side led by four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. The tie’s winner will advance to face either the United States or Kazakhstan in the next round.
The timing of the Finals had been brought forward by the International Tennis Federation, hoping to entice top players by fitting the competition into the Asian swing of the season. Ironically, that shift has still not convinced Raducanu to commit as she defends ranking points in Seoul after reaching the quarter-finals there last year.
Raducanu’s withdrawal may disappoint British fans but it underscores her focus on climbing back up the rankings and securing a seeded spot for the 2026 Australian Open. With no major points left to defend this year and a chance to push higher, the Korea Open presents her with the platform she believes will best serve her ambitions.
