"I wouldn't be surprised if Raducanu decided to end her season"

Emma Raducanu is having a very complicated season full of physical problems, to the point that it is more than likely she will not play again until 2027. Due to a calf injury (the nth of the year), the British player has not competed since reaching the Queen's final, which brought her ascent in the ranking to a halt. Former British number 1 Annabel Croft has commented on this, advising her compatriot not to return until she is fully recovered.

Raducanu is one of the biggest hopes of British tennis to have a player back in the upper ranks, but her physical condition is her biggest enemy. Every time Emma seems to regain that level that allowed her to be the US Open champion coming from qualifying, a new setback in the form of an injury appears, which makes it impossible for her to compete regularly in major tournaments.

In fact, Annabel Croft has stated on Sky Sports Tennis that she may not play again in 2027. "I wouldn't be surprised if she decided to end her season. It wouldn't be a bad decision, as it would allow her to fully recover, rest, receive all possible treatment, and come back in top shape. Perhaps there is concern about the drop in her ranking with so many points to defend, and potentially that ranking could plummet, although she could benefit from the protected ranking. Health is the most important thing, as they say, and that is the most crucial factor; she just needs to get fit."

The protected ranking, Raducanu's salvation in 2027

Raducanu was on a high after reaching the final at Queen's, and she was on the verge of becoming a seeded player again. However, her prolonged inactivity has caused her to plummet to rank 109 in the WTA ranking. The 23-year-old will be able to use her protected ranking in 2027 in a total of 8 tournaments to access the main draw directly, but she will have to work hard to regain the lost ground. 

Furthermore, the most concerning issue is that they have barely provided any information about her injury. “It’s an unusual injury. I’ve had calf muscle injuries, which were not pleasant at all, and as soon as you push off, you hurt yourself and feel stiffness. Something I have always thought about Raducanu is that she is very light on her feet. Movement has always been one of her strengths. She's an exceptional athlete. She positions herself perfectly, always maintaining balance,” Annabel concluded.

That is why Croft considers it crucial for Emma to recover perfectly so that she doesn’t rush back and face a scare or be unable to perform at the desired level. So far, it has been 4 months without playing, and barring surprises, it is expected to be longer until next year, after a preseason in which Raducanu will have to push herself to the maximum to return in great shape.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "No me extrañaría que Raducanu diese por finalizada su temporada"