Emma Raducanu is now 23 years old, and she won the only title of her career as an 18-year-old at the US Open. Since then, she hasn't been in top form for the most part, but worse, she has been injured for a lot of that time. That hasn't changed in 2026.
The Brit currently has a stress fracture in her right leg, and she hasn't been able to play since the HSBC Championships in June. She lost in the final of that event, so close to winning her first tournament since the 2021 major. Raducanu already knows she won't be participating at the 2026 US Open, though.
She hasn't played or practiced since June, never a good sign for a player trying to work their way back from being hurt. Raducanu knows that story all too well. She has had surgeries on her ankles and wrists, and likely the only way to make the stress fracture better is to rest.
Emma Raducanu might be facing not playing the rest of 2026
Not playing in the US Open, the final major of the year, probably means she will miss the rest of the year. Why try to come back if all the majors are done? She won't be making the WTA Finals, either, and risking a return simply to play doesn't make much sense.
Some have questioned the Brit's drive to perform in tournaments, possibly choosing to do off-court events that her sponsors want her to do. She can make good money doing such things, and more than she will make playing tennis unless she starts winning titles.
Still, anyone who has seen Emma Raducanu play knows that on the court she does play with emotion and appears to care whether she wins or loses. If she truly didn't want to play the sport, she probably would have other career opportunities that would allow her to make quite a bit of money. Money isn't ultimately the problem; her injuries are.
Her body appears to break down easily, and that is defeating for an athlete. They can't succeed and win if their body won't let them. That is certainly the case with Raducanu.
Maybe one year she will be able to go through without any new injuries. Fans might rightfully wonder if that is possible, but Raducanu is surely due for some long-term health. If that never happens, she will be remembered as a player who might have had a run of sustained excellence, but that was never meant to be.
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