Key Takeaways
- Annabel Croft suggested on Sky Sports Tennis that Emma Raducanu should consider stopping her 2026 season to recover properly from a leg stress fracture.
- Raducanu has not competed since finishing as runner-up to Donna Vekic at Queen’s in June, missing Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Asian swing.
- The 23-year-old former US Open champion has dropped to 107th in the WTA rankings after competing in just 21 matches during the 2026 season.
Injury layoff and potential early finish for Raducanu
Emma Raducanu has been absent from competition since June due to a stress fracture in her lower right leg. Her last appearance came at the Queen’s Club final, where she finished as runner-up against Donna Vekic. The injury has kept her sidelined through major events, forcing her withdrawal from Wimbledon, the US Open, and the autumn Asian swing.
Former British tennis professional Annabel Croft believes calling an early conclusion to 2026 would be sensible. Speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, Croft noted that “health is your wealth” and stressed that full recuperation should take precedence over rushed appearances on court.
Prioritizing physical recovery over rankings
Raducanu’s absence has seen her slide down the WTA rankings, falling out of the top 100 to world number 107. Over the course of the 2026 season, she contested only 21 matches, recording 11 victories. Her Grand Slam appearances were brief, exiting the Australian Open in the second round to Anastasia Potapova and dropping her opening match at Roland Garros against Solana Sierra.
Croft explained that taking time out allows a player to recuperate fully and approach the following year in top shape. Emphasizing the physical foundation required for Raducanu’s playing style, Croft pointed out that movement remains a core attribute of her game and explained that “that needs to be absolutely 100 per cent.” Although ranking drops and defending points present real challenges, Croft highlighted that protected rankings offer an alternative path for recovery.
Early campaign closures have been seen elsewhere on the tour this season. Men’s world competitor Jannik Sinner shut down his 2026 campaign prematurely due to a knee issue, while Amanda Anisimova and Joao Fonseca have likewise elected to stop playing early.
Emma Raducanu’s year-by-year ranking history
Raducanu has experienced significant movements in the WTA standings throughout her professional career:
| Top rank by year | Year-end ranking |
|---|---|
| 23 | 2026– |
| 29 | 202529 |
| 54 | 202458 |
| 68 | 2023285 |
| 10 | 202275 |
| 19 | 202119 |
| 333 | 2020343 |
| 371 | 2019503 |
| 572 | 2018692 |
Emma Raducanu in 2026
Currently ranked no.109, Emma played her last match on the 14th of June when she lost to world no.36 Donna Vekic 6-0 7-6(6) in the final in London (draw).
Until now, during this year Raducanu has achieved an overall 11-10 win-loss record. Emma Raducanu’s best result of the present year was reaching the semifinal in Napoca and London.
