Emma Raducanu will be absent from this year’s US Open after doctors confirmed a stress fracture in her right lower leg. The 23‑year‑old British No.1 sustained the injury during the grass‑court swing and, after a delayed decision to sit out Wimbledon, she has now been forced to pull out of the New York tournament as well. According to the Press Association, Raducanu consulted with her medical team and, based on their advice, concluded that she cannot compete in the upcoming US Open.
The decision, while disappointing to fans, is not unexpected given the nature of a stress fracture and the fact that Raducanu has only recently begun to test the waters on court again, doing so while wearing a protective boot. The injury is another setback in a difficult 12‑month period for the former champion. After a promising start last summer – which included her first match wins at Flushing Meadows since lifting the trophy five years ago – Raducanu has struggled with recurring physical problems.
Early in the season she dealt with a foot injury that limited her pre‑season preparation, and in February she was sidelined for two and a half months by a post‑viral illness that further disrupted her training schedule. She eventually made a return toward the end of the clay‑court season, reuniting with Andrew Richardson, the coach who helped her capture the US Open title in 2021. However, the partnership has had little time to develop on‑court chemistry, as both player and coach have been managing Raducanu’s gradual comeback.
Despite these challenges, Raducanu managed to put together one of the strongest weeks of her career in June, reaching the final at Queen’s Club – her biggest final since the 2021 New York triumph. Unfortunately, the effort that produced that impressive run also appears to have triggered the latest injury, leading to the stress fracture that now rules her out of the US Open. The British tennis federation did not include Raducanu in the squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals scheduled for late September, and there are now lingering questions about her future on the tour. With her ranking currently sitting at 49, a withdrawal from the US Open will likely cause her to slip further down the rankings, raising concerns about her ability to qualify for major events in 2026 and beyond.
In a brief Instagram post from a vacation in Switzerland, Raducanu tried to keep a positive tone, describing the trip as the "best reset ever." The video accompanying the message showed her practicing serves while still wearing the protective boot on her right foot, underscoring both her determination to stay active and the reality of her ongoing recovery. The US Open, set to begin on August 30, will go on without her, with broadcasting options available via Sky Sports and the NOW streaming service. Sky Sports customers will also benefit from an expanded live‑sport offering this year, with more than 50 percent additional coverage at no extra charge. For tennis enthusiasts, the ATP and WTA tours continue to provide action, including the National Bank Open in Montreal, where rising star Jack Draper is slated to make his return on August 3.
Raducanu’s situation highlights the broader challenges athletes face when dealing with injuries that require careful management and long‑term rehabilitation. Stress fractures, unlike acute injuries, develop over time from repeated stress on a bone, making them particularly tricky to diagnose early and demanding a cautious approach to return‑to‑play decisions. For a player of Raducanu’s stature, the pressure to compete at the highest level can sometimes conflict with the need for a measured recovery plan. Medical experts stress that the priority should be complete healing of the fracture, followed by a structured conditioning program to rebuild strength and confidence in the affected leg.
Rushing back too soon could risk a more severe break or chronic issues that might jeopardize her career longevity. As such, the decision to sit out the US Open, though painful, aligns with best practices for long‑term health. Fans and commentators alike are hopeful that the extra time off the tour will allow Raducanu to address any lingering weaknesses, work on her fitness, and eventually return to competition fully fit.
The tennis community remains supportive, recognizing that her talent and work ethic have already earned her a place among the sport’s rising stars. In summary, Emma Raducanu’s stress fracture will keep her out of the US Open, marking another difficult chapter in a year already marred by injuries and illness. While her ranking may suffer and her immediate competitive prospects are uncertain, the focus now shifts to a comprehensive rehabilitation program that could see her back on court stronger and more resilient in the seasons to come.