Emma Raducanu may find it advantageous to bring her 2024 campaign to an early close, allowing her to focus on a full recovery and to secure a protected ranking that could smooth her comeback in 2027, according to former British No. 1 Annabel Croft. The 23-year-old Briton sustained a stress fracture in the lower part of her right leg during the grass‑court swing, a setback that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon at the last minute. After further consultations with 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.
In professional tennis, a protected ranking system exists to help players who have been sidelined by injury for an extended period. The ATP and WTA each have their own rules.
On the men’s side, an eligible player can use a protected ranking calculated from the average of his ranking over the three months preceding the injury. The women’s tour fixes the protected ranking at the exact position the player held when the injury first occurred. A WTA athlete may apply that protected ranking to enter up to eight tournaments in a single season, or up to twelve if the lay‑off exceeds one year.
Raducanu has only just taken tentative steps back onto the court, now wearing a protective boot to shield her healing leg. This latest hurdle adds to an already frustrating twelve‑month period marked by recurring physical problems.
While speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, Croft, who has transitioned from a playing career to television analysis, remarked that "she's been unbelievably unlucky with injury problems." She went on to note that despite the myriad injuries that afflict athletes, Raducanu has struggled to enjoy a sustained, injury‑free stretch that would allow her to build momentum both physically and mentally. The British star’s troubles began with a foot injury that severely limited her preseason preparation.
Shortly thereafter, in early February, she was struck by a post‑viral illness that kept her off the court for another two and a half months. After a prolonged recovery, Raducanu finally re‑entered competition toward the end of the clay‑court season, re‑uniting with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to the US Open title in 2021.
Their partnership, however, has been short‑lived due to the ongoing health concerns. In June, Raducanu enjoyed one of the most promising weeks of her career in recent memory, reaching the final at Queen's Club – her deepest run since her triumph in New York. Ironically, the intense effort required to get that far may have triggered the stress fracture that now forces her out of the US Open.
Her absence was also felt in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, as she was not selected for Great Britain’s squad in late September. Croft observed, "I've seen lots of pictures of her posting with the boot on her leg and just trying to serve, to keep her racket going and showing everybody that she's doing everything she can. But clearly, it's not healed up." The former world No.
24 added that the decision to end the season early would not be surprising, emphasizing that a full recovery could be more beneficial than a rushed return that risks further injury. If Raducanu remains out of competition for at least six months, she would be eligible to invoke a protected ranking for a limited number of events upon her return. This protected ranking would be based on her last standing – around the top 50 – which she held during the grass‑court season, the final period in which she earned prize money before the injury. The protected ranking could help mitigate the inevitable drop in points she faces, as she still has points to defend from her successful North American hard‑court swing last year, which included strong showings in Washington, Canada, Cincinnati, and the US Open.
Croft explained that the decision to close the season is not merely about ranking preservation but about long‑term health. "It wouldn't be a surprise if she made that decision," Croft said.
"That wouldn't be such a bad decision to take because you can fully heal, rest up, get as much treatment as possible and then come out fully fit, raring to go at the start of next year." She acknowledged the potential ranking hit but highlighted that a protected ranking could soften the blow. Beyond the technicalities, Croft praised Raducanu’s athletic qualities.
She noted that the British player’s lightness on her feet and exceptional movement have always been hallmarks of her game. "She's very light on her feet.
Movement has always been one of her strengths," Croft said, adding that any return to the tour will require those attributes to be at 100 percent. She compared Raducanu’s injury to calf muscle strains she herself had endured, emphasizing that even a minor tweak can feel tight and painful, especially for an athlete who relies heavily on quick, precise footwork. In summary, the consensus among those close to her is that Raducanu’s health must take precedence over short‑term ranking concerns.
A protected ranking offers a safety net, but only if she can commit to a full recovery period. The upcoming months will be crucial for her medical team to assess the fracture’s healing progress, determine when she can safely resume full training, and decide whether an early season termination is the wisest path. If she follows a disciplined rehabilitation program, utilizes the protected ranking option, and returns with her trademark agility restored, Raducaru could once again become a formidable presence on the WTA Tour, ready to chase titles in the years ahead.