Emma Raducanu’s 2026 season has once again been interrupted by physical setbacks, leaving fans wondering when the former US Open champion can finally enjoy a sustained run of competition. After missing Wimbledon because of a stress fracture in her lower right leg, Raducanu was subsequently ruled out of the 2026 US Open, another painful absence from the tournament where she made history in 2021.

The latest injury is particularly frustrating because Raducanu had shown encouraging signs before the setback. In June, she reached the final at Queen’s Club, producing one of her strongest grass-court performances since her breakthrough Grand Slam victory. However, the physical demands of that run were followed by the stress fracture that brought her season to a halt.

Her fitness struggles have not been limited to one problem. Earlier in 2026, Raducanu dealt with a foot issue and then spent more than two months away from competition while recovering from a post-viral illness. The WTA reported that she withdrew from several tournaments during that period as she worked toward regaining full fitness.

That history makes the role of her medical and performance team especially important. The challenge is not simply helping Raducanu recover from one injury, but establishing a sustainable physical routine that allows her to train, compete and recover consistently over an entire season.

Raducanu has also made changes around her tennis team. In May, she returned to working with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her during her remarkable 2021 US Open triumph, although reports indicated that the arrangement was not necessarily planned as a permanent partnership.

Still, no coaching or medical adjustment can guarantee that injuries will disappear. Tennis places enormous physical demands on players, and recovery timelines can change depending on how an athlete responds. Raducanu’s current priority is therefore likely to be rebuilding her fitness carefully rather than rushing back simply to meet a tournament deadline.

Her absence from the US Open was especially significant because of her connection with the tournament. Five years after winning the title as a teenager, she was unable to return to the New York stage in 2026. Her ranking has also been affected by the extended absence, with the WTA listing her at No. 100 as of September 30.

The big question now is what comes next. If Raducanu can complete her rehabilitation, strengthen her physical base and maintain continuity with her support team, she could have another opportunity to rebuild momentum. But the immediate story is recovery, patience and preparation.

For a player who has already produced one of tennis’s most extraordinary breakthroughs, the next chapter may be less about chasing another dramatic moment and more about finding the consistency needed to stay healthy long enough to create it.

Emma Raducanu’s comeback story is far from finished—could her next return finally mark the beginning of a healthier chapter?