2021 US Open champion and British WTA number one, Emma Raducanu, has announced her withdrawal from the US Open. A stress fracture in her right leg has forced Raducanu to withdraw from the event in yet another injury-ravaged season.
Just like her British counterpart Jack Draper, Raducanu has struggled for fitness, with her 2026 marred by underlying health concerns and injuries.
The 23-year-old was spotted wearing a protective boot a few weeks ago before news broke of the injury she’s suffered.
A 2026 to Forget
Raducanu has struggled both on and off court this year and is now set to spend a minimum of six weeks away from the sport again.
At the beginning of this year, Raducanu still suffered from the effects of a bone bruising in her right foot. She was seen favouring the foot during her matches at the Australian Open, during her second-round exit against Anastasia Potapova.
A strong run in Romania, her father’s native country, ended in defeat to Sorana Cirstea in the final.
However, Raducanu was checked numerous times by medical staff for an illness that caused extreme fatigue, which had become apparent in her semi-final victory against Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova.
The world number 49 continued to try to build some momentum in the Middle Eastern swing, but yet again illness got the better of her.
Retirement in Doha against Camila Osorio, where Raducanu could not keep her balance and looked worse for wear.
A month’s recovery saw a brief return at Indian Wells, where she fell to defeat against Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. A full health check revealed the viral illness was affecting her respiratory system.
In an interview with The Guardian, Raducanu said, “I picked up like a virus at the start of (Cluj) tournament. So I was dealing with that and the after-effects.”
The British women’s number one then embarked on a run at a WTA 500 event at Queen’s.
But during the final against Croatian Donna Vekic, the Brit slipped on a dew-covered surface, planting her right leg into the ground.
This slip is the most feasible cause for the stress fracture. Unfortunately, once again, Raducanu was attended to by the medical team, who heavily strapped her leg.
After the Queen’s final, Raducanu was photographed wearing a protective boot. That, in turn, resulted in her missing Wimbledon and now the US Open
What Is a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is a minute crack in a bone or severe bruising in the area of contact.
The fracture occurs during an overload of repetitive force, sudden pressure, or an increase in physical activity.
In Raducanu’s case, she has a grade four stress fracture on the shin. Medical reports expect a swift recovery, as it is deemed a low-risk site.
Taking time away for a complete recovery should be the British star’s priority. A lot of Raducanu’s movement and power comes through her right leg.
Being able to get low to recover shots into her body or balls that bounce low is her strongest asset.
She also has an abundance of pace to cover the court, allowing her to position herself at the net to play volleys or drop shots. Yet the first burst of speed comes from the right leg exerting force through the lower leg and muscles.
British tennis fans will be hoping her recovery is smoother and better than that of fellow Brit Draper. His bone injury has kept him out of action for nearly a year.
For more tennis news, read reports from fellow reporters here.
