Emma Raducanu has suffered another major injury setback, with the 2021 US Open champion ruled out of this year's tournament after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in her lower right leg. The injury will also keep her out of the entire North American hard-court season, including the Cincinnati Open, while she has also been omitted from Great Britain's squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals as she focuses on recovery.
Raducanu has not competed since finishing runner-up at the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in June, where she produced one of her best performances since her stunning US Open triumph five years ago.
However, the demanding grass-court schedule worsened a problem that had first emerged during the clay season. Medical examinations later confirmed a Grade 4 stress fracture, ruling the 23-year-old out of Wimbledon, the Canadian Open, Cincinnati and now the US Open. Doctors have recommended a recovery period of between eight and 16 weeks.
ANOTHER INJURY BLOW
The latest setback continues a frustrating run of injuries that has disrupted Raducanu's career since she became the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title at the 2021 US Open.
A series of wrist and ankle surgeries, recurring fitness concerns and illnesses have repeatedly stalled her progress, despite regular glimpses of the talent that made her one of tennis' brightest young stars.
Before the injury, there had been encouraging signs of a resurgence. Raducanu reached the final at Queen's Club—only the second WTA Tour final of her career—after also finishing runner-up in Cluj-Napoca earlier this season. Those results suggested she was rediscovering the form that propelled her to Grand Slam glory.
Her absence from Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup squad highlights the seriousness of the injury, with British No. 2 Katie Boulter expected to lead the team in China.
Missing the US Open will be especially disappointing for Raducanu, who captured the title in New York as an 18-year-old qualifier without dropping a set, producing one of the most remarkable Grand Slam victories in tennis history.
For now, her focus will remain on rehabilitation rather than competition. After already missing Wimbledon, Cincinnati and now the US Open, the former champion will hope this extended period away from the court finally helps her overcome the injury problems that have overshadowed much of her career since her historic breakthrough.
