Emma Raducanu Ruled Out of 2026 US Open Due to Stress Fracture

The 23-year-old British star will miss the final Grand Slam of the season following medical advice that continuing to compete could worsen the injury. The same stress fracture forced Raducanu to withdraw from Wimbledon earlier this summer, and despite weeks of rehabilitation, she has not recovered sufficiently to return to competitive tennis.

The absence is a significant blow for the tournament, where Raducanu produced one of the greatest underdog stories in tennis history by winning the 2021 US Open as an 18-year-old qualifier without dropping a set.

Medical Team Prioritises Long-Term Recovery

According to multiple reports, Raducanu and her medical team decided that missing the North American hard-court swing—including the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and US Open—offers the best chance for a complete recovery.

Stress fractures require careful rehabilitation, and specialists believe returning too soon could increase the risk of a more serious setback. While Raducanu has resumed light training, she is not yet ready for the demands of Grand Slam competition.

The decision reflects a long-term approach aimed at protecting Raducanu's future rather than risking permanent damage by returning too early.

A Season Interrupted by Injury

The British No. 1 has struggled to build momentum throughout 2026. A foot injury carried over from the previous season disrupted her preseason preparations before illness sidelined her for more than two months early in the campaign.

Although Raducanu returned impressively and reached the final of the WTA tournament in Cluj-Napoca before enjoying encouraging results on grass, the physical demands aggravated the stress fracture that eventually ruled her out of Wimbledon and now the US Open.

Her withdrawal means another lengthy recovery period after already undergoing surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle in previous seasons.

A Painful Absence from Flushing Meadows

Few venues carry greater significance for Raducanu than Flushing Meadows.

In 2021 she became the first qualifier in tennis history to win a Grand Slam singles title, capturing the US Open without dropping a single set. The remarkable achievement transformed her into one of Britain's biggest sporting stars and one of the most recognizable names in women's tennis.

Five years later, she will instead watch the tournament from the sidelines while continuing her rehabilitation.

Impact on the Women's Draw

Raducanu's withdrawal removes one of the tournament's biggest attractions and leaves the women's singles field without one of its former champions.

Attention will now shift toward other title contenders as players continue their preparations through the North American hard-court season leading into New York.

Looking Ahead

Despite another frustrating setback, there remains optimism surrounding Raducanu's long-term future. At just 23 years old, she still has plenty of time to return to full fitness and re-establish herself among the world's elite.

Her immediate focus is expected to remain on rehabilitation before targeting a return later in the season or preparing fully for the 2027 campaign.

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