Emma Raducanu will be absent from this year’s US Open after doctors confirmed that a stress fracture in her right lower leg prevents her from competing. The 23‑year‑old British No.1 first sustained the injury during the grass‑court swing, which forced her to make a late decision to withdraw from Wimbledon as well. After consulting with her medical team, the Press Association reported that Raducanu has concluded she cannot travel to New York for the tournament later this month.
The announcement does not come as a complete surprise. Raducanu has only recently been able to take tentative steps on the court while wearing a protective boot, and the nature of a stress fracture typically requires several weeks of rest and rehabilitation. Nonetheless, the news represents another setback in what has been a challenging year for the young champion.
Last summer, Raducanu enjoyed a promising resurgence at Flushing Meadows, winning her first matches there since lifting the US Open trophy five years ago. That brief period of positive momentum was quickly eclipsed by a series of physical problems that have plagued her throughout the past twelve months.
In February, a foot injury disrupted her pre‑season preparation, and soon after she contracted a viral illness that kept her away from the court for roughly ten weeks. The combination of these issues stalled her training and left her struggling to regain full fitness. In an effort to revive her career, Raducanu re‑engaged Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to the 2021 US Open title. The pair reunited toward the end of the clay‑court season, but their time together on court has been limited by her ongoing health concerns.
Despite the constraints, Raducanu managed to mount a strong showing at the Queen’s Club Championships in June, reaching the final – her deepest run in a tournament since her breakthrough in New York. Unfortunately, the intense effort required to reach that final appears to have aggravated the stress fracture in her right leg, prompting the latest withdrawal. The injury also meant she was omitted from Great Britain’s squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals scheduled for late September. With her current world ranking sitting at 49, there are growing questions about whether she will be able to maintain her position on the tour and whether she might be forced to miss the 2026 season if recovery does not progress as hoped.
On social media, Raducanu tried to keep a positive tone. In a Sunday post from a brief holiday in Switzerland, she described the trip as the "best reset ever" and shared a short video of herself practicing serves while still wearing the protective boot on her right foot.
The post highlighted her determination to stay engaged with the sport even while she is sidelined. The broader tennis community has responded with sympathy and encouragement.
Fans and fellow players have taken to platforms such as Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel and other outlets to share messages of support, emphasizing that her health must come first. Sky Sports, which holds broadcasting rights for major tennis events, has reminded viewers that live coverage of the US Open will continue on its channels and streaming platforms, including the NOW service and the Sky Sports app, offering subscribers access to a substantial increase in live sport this year.
Looking ahead, Raducanu’s recovery timeline remains uncertain. Stress fractures typically require a period of reduced weight‑bearing activity, followed by gradual strengthening and conditioning. Medical experts advise that returning to full competition too quickly can risk re‑injury, so a cautious approach is likely.
In the meantime, Raducanu may focus on low‑impact training, physiotherapy, and possibly working on aspects of her game that do not strain her leg, such as upper‑body strength and mental preparation. If she can successfully rehabilitate, the British star could aim to re‑enter the tour in the latter half of the season, perhaps targeting smaller events to rebuild confidence before tackling Grand Slam tournaments again.
Her previous resilience – bouncing back from a challenging 2022 season to claim a major title – suggests she possesses the mental fortitude needed to overcome this hurdle. For now, the tennis world will watch closely as updates emerge from her medical team. The hope among fans is that Emma Raducanu will recover fully, return stronger, and eventually add another Grand Slam chapter to her already impressive résumé.