Erratic Raducanu and Draper missing in Madrid

Emma Raducnau has joined the list of missing persons at the Madrid Masters as the patchy Brit withdrew from her third consecutive tournament as her ranking starts to suffer.

The 2021 US Open winner who has failed to impress in ensuing seasons, is out of the Spanish event along with men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (wrist injury) and three time veteran winner Novak Djokovic.

After keeping his options open, Italian world No. 1 Jannik Sinner fronted up in the Spanish capital, ready to try and win a record-setting fifth Masters 1000 title in succession.

In all the nearly fortnight-long Madrid outing is missing 13 players as criticism mounts over expansion of the Masters series duration; the tournament formerly lasted for one week before the ATP and WTA’s ill-formed calendar overhaul

Raducanu’s official reason for missing Madrid is a viral infection. She has not played since losing in 52 minutes in the Indian Wells opening round well over six weeks ago.

The coachless Brit, whose 27th ranking is in danger due to inactivity, has been without a mentor since sacking Francisco Roig after a second-round ouster at January”s Australian Open.

British hopes took a further hit on Monday after the draw, with Jack Draper also pulling out.

The ATP player’s season has been as scattershot as that of Raducanu. The injury-prone lefthander missed Monte Carlo through injury and went out in last week’s first round in Barcelona.

The 29th-ranked Draper has played just eight Tour matches this season as he battles arm and other physical problems.