Emma Raducanu missed her opening match of the 2026 season after withdrawing from the Auckland Open.
Raducanu took positive steps forward in 2025, climbing back into the WTA top 30 rankings.
But injury problems remained a concern, and she wrapped up her campaign early while competing in China.
Despite optimism from a preseason fitness update, Raducanu was again sidelined before she could get underway, pulling out ahead of what would have been her first match of 2026.
Tim Henman shares update on Raducanu injury
Raducanu was expected to start her season at the United Cup, taking the court in Great Britain’s opening tie against Japan.
Great Britain had already lost Jack Draper to injury, and news then broke that Raducanu would also be unavailable for her match against Naomi Osaka.
Katie Swan stepped in for Raducanu, and Tim Henman was asked by Nine News about the situation.
He didn’t go into specifics about the nature of Raducanu’s issue but indicated it wasn’t a major concern.
“I got to be honest, she was very, very close [to playing],” said Henman. “It was not any easy decision. She had been building up and practicing really well. I don’t think she is necessarily out of this tournament just yet.”
Raducanu has a single day to get ready before Great Britain’s next tie against Greece, where she is set to face former world number three Maria Sakkari.
Emma Raducanu’s career ‘strange’ according to Grand Slam champion
Raducanu has faced several injury setbacks since her US Open win in 2021, including surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle in 2023.
Nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion John Fitzgerald commented on the situation following Raducanu’s withdrawal against Osaka, calling her career ‘strange’ and expressing hope for a better year ahead.
“It has been a strange sort of career for Emma,” Fitzgerald said. “Her US Open win … that was one of the most amazing things that has happened in tennis. She qualified [into the main draw] then won the whole thing, that is unheard of.”
“She has had too many injuries and a bit of bad luck that hasn’t let her have a good run. Let’s hope she can get that together in 2026.”
Raducanu doesn’t have much time to prepare for her next match but is also set to play at the Hobart International next week as the second seed.
More information about her plans before the Australian Open could become available after Great Britain’s tie against Japan wraps up in Perth.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
