Emma Raducanu, Britain’s number one tennis player, has withdrawn from two upcoming exhibition matches in the United States due to a minor foot injury. The 23-year-old, who rose to fame as the 2021 US Open champion, is managing light bone bruising in her right foot but remains able to practice and train ahead of the 2026 season.
Raducanu is expected to travel soon to Barcelona for a pre-season training camp overseen by her coach Francisco Roig, who began working with her in August. This overseas preparation is designed to reduce strain on her foot while helping her build momentum for the new season.
Training and Preparations for 2026
Earlier this month, Raducanu trained at the National Tennis Centre in London, focusing on technique, fitness, and recovery. With the decision to skip the Newark and Miami exhibitions on 7 and 8 December, she can now concentrate fully on the Barcelona pre-season program.
She is also working with a new physiotherapist, Emma Stewart, formerly with the WTA Tour and now part of British Rowing’s men’s squad. Stewart will oversee Raducanu’s strength and conditioning, traveling to select events next season to provide ongoing support.
Replacing Raducanu in the US exhibitions will be world number six Jessica Pegula, while men’s world number one Carlos Alcaraz is also scheduled to play, facing Frances Tiafoe and 19-year-old Joao Fonseca across the two nights.
Upcoming Competitions and Goals
Raducanu is preparing to represent Great Britain at the United Cup alongside Jack Draper in early January 2026. The group stage in Perth will see GB face Japan and Greece, providing a potential high-profile singles matchup against Naomi Osaka, another Grand Slam champion.
Currently ranked world number 29, Raducanu is in line to be seeded for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on 18 January 2026. Despite withdrawing from her final two events of 2025 due to illness, Raducanu still finished the season with a career-high 28 tour-level victories, signaling strong form heading into the new year.
Looking Ahead
The focus on careful injury management, pre-season preparation, and strategic physiotherapy should allow Raducanu to start 2026 in optimal condition. Her combination of Grand Slam experience, recent tour success, and a new coaching team puts her in a strong position for major tournaments, including the Australian Open and United Cup.
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