What Happened to Emma Raducanu?
Emma Raducanu is a British professional tennis player who rose to global fame by winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, a historic achievement. Since her Grand Slam triumph, her career has been marked by a series of injuries, illnesses, and frequent coaching changes, leading to fluctuating form and rankings. As of May 2026, she is returning to competition after a two-month absence due to a post-viral illness, aiming to regain her top form.
Quick Answer
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has faced significant challenges since her historic win, including multiple injuries, surgeries, and recurring illnesses. After undergoing wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023 and battling a foot injury and post-viral illness in early 2026, she is currently making her return to the WTA Tour at the Internationaux de Strasbourg in May 2026. She has also reunited with her US Open-winning coach, Andrew Richardson, as she seeks to rebuild her career and climb back up the rankings, currently sitting around world No. 37.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Toronto, Canada
Emma Raducanu was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to a Romanian father and a Chinese mother, later moving to the UK at age two.
Turned Professional
Raducanu officially turned professional, competing in ITF Women's Circuit events and winning two senior titles that year.
Wimbledon Main Draw Debut
Received a wildcard entry to Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round in her first Grand Slam main draw appearance, becoming the youngest British woman in the Open Era to do so.
Historic US Open Victory
Won the US Open as a qualifier, defeating Leylah Fernandez in the final without dropping a set throughout the tournament, becoming the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Awarded MBE
Recognized for her historic achievement, Emma Raducanu was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by King Charles III.
Achieves Career-High Ranking of World No. 10
Raducanu reached her career-high singles ranking of world No. 10 by the WTA.
Undergoes Multiple Surgeries
Announced she had undergone surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle, ruling her out for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Returns to Competition
Returned to tennis action in January 2024 after her surgeries, aiming to regain fitness and form.
Reaches Wimbledon Fourth Round
Returned to the fourth round of Wimbledon, securing her second top 10 victory against Maria Sakkari.
Miami Open Quarterfinals
Achieved her best WTA 1000 result since her US Open win by reaching the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.
Ends 2025 Season Early Due to Illness
Withdrew from WTA events in Tokyo and Hong Kong, ending her 2025 season prematurely due to battling illness. She finished the year ranked No. 29.
Reaches Transylvania Open Final
Made her first WTA final since the 2021 US Open at the Transylvania Open, where she lost to Sorana Cirstea.
Indian Wells Third Round Exit, Followed by Illness
Lost in the third round of Indian Wells to Amanda Anisimova. Subsequently withdrew from several tournaments (Miami, Linz, Madrid, Italian Open) due to a post-viral illness.
Returns to Tour at Strasbourg, Reunites with Coach
Emma Raducanu is set to return to WTA Tour action at the Internationaux de Strasbourg after a two-month absence due to illness. She has also confirmed she will work with her US Open-winning coach, Andrew Richardson.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Emma Raducanu's professional journey is a compelling narrative of meteoric rise followed by a challenging period of adaptation and recovery. Born in Toronto and raised in Bromley, UK, Raducanu burst onto the international tennis scene in 2021. After making a surprising run to the fourth round of Wimbledon as a wildcard, she achieved unprecedented success at the US Open, becoming the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title without dropping a set. This victory, at just 18 years old, propelled her into the global spotlight, making her a British No. 1 and a top-25 player, and earning her an MBE.
However, the period following her US Open triumph has been characterized by a struggle to maintain consistent form and fitness. Raducanu has openly spoken about the immense pressure and expectations that came with her sudden fame. Her career since late 2021 has been plagued by a series of physical setbacks, including various injuries and illnesses. In May 2023, she underwent surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle, which sidelined her for the remainder of that season. These physical issues have been compounded by frequent changes in her coaching team, a pattern that has drawn considerable media attention and speculation about its impact on her development.
The 2024 season saw Raducanu gradually return to competition, working her way back into the top 100 and securing some notable wins, including reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon. Her 2025 season showed further signs of progress, as she reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open and the semifinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open, finishing the year ranked No. 29. Despite these positive moments, her 2025 campaign was cut short due to illness, a recurring theme in her career.
Heading into 2026, Raducanu's preparations were again disrupted by a foot injury, followed by a significant battle with a post-viral illness contracted in February. This illness forced her to withdraw from several key tournaments, including Miami, Madrid, and the Italian Open, extending her absence from the tour for over two months. As of May 19, 2026, Raducanu is making her comeback at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, a WTA 500 clay-court event, in preparation for the French Open. Notably, she has reunited with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to her US Open victory, signaling a potential shift towards stability in her coaching setup. Her current live ranking is approximately world No. 37.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Emma Raducanu made different choices?