Emma Raducanu might find it advantageous to bring her 2024 campaign to an early close, allowing her to concentrate on full recovery and to lock in a protected ranking before planning a comeback in 2027, according to former British No.1 Annabel Croft. The 23-year-old Briton suffered a stress fracture in the lower right leg during the grass‑court swing and ultimately decided to withdraw from Wimbledon at the last minute. After consulting her medical team, Raducanu announced on Monday that she would also be unable to compete at the US Open later this month, a development reported live on Sky Sports.
The decision reflects the seriousness of her injury and the need for a sustained period of rehabilitation. In professional tennis, a protected ranking system exists to assist players who have been forced out of competition for an extended period due to injury or illness.
The ATP and WTA operate slightly different rules. On the men’s side, a player can use a protected ranking that is calculated based on the average of his ranking over the three months preceding the injury. For women, the protected ranking is frozen at the exact position the player held at the time the injury occurred.
A WTA competitor may apply that protected ranking to entry into up to eight tournaments in a 12‑month window, or up to twelve events if the lay‑off exceeds one year. Raducanu has only just taken tentative steps back onto the court, currently wearing a protective boot on her injured leg.
This setback adds to a frustrating twelve‑month period that has been riddled with recurring physical problems. While speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, Croft, now a TV analyst, described Raducanu’s situation as "unbelievably unlucky with injury problems" and noted that the young player has struggled to find a sustained, injury‑free stretch that would allow her to build momentum both mentally and physically.
The season’s challenges began with a foot injury that hampered her pre‑season preparation, followed by a two‑and‑a‑half‑month absence caused by a post‑viral illness that first emerged in early February. After finally returning for the tail end of the clay‑court season, Raducanu re‑engaged Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to the US Open triumph, but their time together on court has been limited due to her ongoing health concerns. In June, Raducaru enjoyed one of the most promising weeks of her career, reaching the final at Queen's Club – her best result since her New York victory – only to see that effort trigger the latest stress fracture. The injury forced her out of the Great Britain squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals scheduled for late September.
Croft observed, "I've seen countless pictures of her with the boot, trying to serve, keeping her racket moving, showing everyone she is doing everything she can. But clearly, the leg has not healed fully." The former world No.24 retired from the tour at 21 and now offers a perspective shaped by both personal experience and professional analysis.
Looking ahead, there are lingering questions about whether Raducanu, currently ranked 49th, will be able to compete in 2026 without invoking a protected ranking. If she is sidelined for at least six months because of injury, she may apply for a special ranking that would grant her entry into a limited number of events upon her return. This special ranking would be based on her last top‑50 position during the grass‑court season – the most recent tournament where she earned prize money. The risk of a steep ranking drop looms large, as she still has a substantial number of points to defend from last year’s North American hard‑court swing, which included strong showings in Washington, Canada, Cincinnati, and the US Open.
A prolonged absence could see those points expire, potentially pushing her further down the ladder. Croft suggested that voluntarily ending the season might not be a negative move. "It wouldn't be a surprise if she decided to close out her season," she said.
"That wouldn't be a bad decision because it would give her the chance to heal completely, rest, undergo as much treatment as needed, and then return fully fit and ready for the start of the next year." She added that concerns about a ranking plunge are understandable, but the protected ranking system could mitigate the damage. "If she misses enough time, she can use that protected ranking, which would preserve her entry into major events despite the points loss," Croft explained.
Beyond the technicalities, Croft emphasized the importance of health above all else. "Your health is your wealth," she remarked, echoing a timeless adage. "She needs to get herself fit before thinking about anything else." Discussing the nature of Raducanu’s injury, Croft noted its unusual character. "I’ve dealt with calf muscle strains that are painful, but this stress fracture is different.
The moment you push off, you feel a tightness that can be unsettling. However, what has always stood out about Emma is her lightness on the feet. Movement has been one of her greatest assets." She praised Raducanu’s athleticism, saying, "She moves around the ball beautifully, stays light on her feet, and finds great court positions without ever looking off‑balance. That footwork is a core strength, and it needs to be at 100% for her to compete at the highest level again." In summary, the combination of a serious stress fracture, a lingering post‑viral condition, and a demanding schedule has placed Raducanu at a crossroads.
The protected ranking rule offers a safety net that could preserve her tournament access while she focuses on rehabilitation. Whether she chooses to end her season early, rely on the protected ranking, or attempt a gradual return later this year, the priority remains her long‑term health and the ability to perform at the elite standard that made her a US Open champion. Fans can continue to follow the ATP and WTA tours, as well as the US Open, via Sky Sports from August 30 onward, with additional streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app, providing more than 50% extra live sport coverage at no extra cost.