Rome Open gamble doesn't pay off for Emma Raducanu, Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep in wildcard snub

The Rome Open begins on May 7 and three names missing from the draw over the next two weeks include Emma Raducanu, Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep with the trio all snubbed for wildcards. This was kind of expected, but in particular for two of them a gamble didn't pay off.

Raducanu in particular initially entered qualifying knowing she was unlikely to get a wildcard but still withdrew earlier this week likely after finding out she wasn't set to get a spot in the main draw. She will next play in Strasbourg. But this tournament is an interesting pick given that it takes place on the same week as Roland Garros qualifying.

Raducanu is entered in and needs four more players to withdraw in order to gain a spot. It is a similar boom or bust kind of approach from the Brit as the Australian Open which she managed to gain. Jessica Pegula in particular is the next name who could yet withdraw. The American confirmed earlier on Monday that she was unlikely to play Roland Garros. Other players returning such as Bianca Andreescu will also be ones to watch in that regard. But in Rome, all other wildcards were handed out to Italian players.

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Caroline Wozniacki didn't enter qualifying and the same can be said for Roland Garros, a move that has been widely slammed on social media by those in the tennis community. Simona Halep seemingly knew this was a possibility, she entered into a WTA 125k in the second week of Rome and is seemingly targeting lower level tournaments in order to get her ranking back up.

It will be the same story for Roland Garros, with the FFT favouring more top French players who earn their spots over those with past success. Perhaps one to ponder for this trio as their luck with wildcards seems to be running out.

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José Morgado

@josemorgado

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No wild cards for the likes of Wozniacki, Halep and Raducanu. All missing Rome...

Jeff Donaldson

@jdd_sports

I'm all ciao bella, viva Italia, 3rd gen 🇮🇹 on my mom's side, etc – but this is kinda crazy for the main draw of a WTA 1000.

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