A Season Cut Short by a Rare Injury
Emma Raducanu's 2026 season has come to a premature close after a grade four stress fracture in her right leg proved far more stubborn than initially hoped. The 2021 US Open champion last stepped onto a court in June, when she delivered a brilliant run of results to reach the final of the Queen's Club Championship, only to fall to Donna Vekic in straight sets. That final appearance on June 14 marked her last competitive match of the year.
Raducanu subsequently withdrew from the Nottingham Open and Wimbledon, with her team citing the stress fracture. After missing the North American hard-court swing entirely, her name has now also disappeared from entry lists covering the Asian swing, making a full season shutdown all but confirmed. The lengthy absence has hammered her ranking, which has tumbled from the top 35 all the way down to number 109.
Croft Urges Patience and Full Recovery
TV analyst and former British number one Annabel Croft has come out firmly in support of Raducanu prioritizing her health over a rushed comeback. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, Croft called the decision to close out the season early "not such a bad decision," stressing that a complete recovery now sets Raducanu up to arrive at the start of 2027 fully fit and ready to compete.
Croft also highlighted the nature of the injury as particularly tricky for a player whose movement is central to her game. She described the fracture as "an unusual injury" and praised Raducanu's footwork and athleticism, noting her lightness on her feet as a core weapon at Queen's Club. On the ranking side, Raducanu can lean on her protected ranking to secure main draw entry into up to eight events when she eventually returns.
TennisDraw users have continued to track Raducanu's projected comeback path, making her a popular name in early 2027 bracket discussions.
