Emma Raducanu, the former US Open champion, has confirmed she is ending her 2025 season ahead of schedule following a troubling series of health and fitness setbacks during the Asian swing of the WTA Tour.
The decision comes after two difficult tournaments in China. In Wuhan, Raducanu was forced to retire from her first-round match against Ann Li while trailing 6-1, 4-1, after appearing fatigued in extreme heat and having her blood pressure checked on court. Just days later at the Ningbo Open she lost in the first round to Zhu Lin, during which she twice required medical attention and again struggled with movement and back discomfort.
Originally slated to compete in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and the Hong Kong Open, Raducanu has withdrawn from both events to fully prioritise her recovery. The decision reflects growing concern that pushing onward could aggravate her underlying physical issues.
Despite the premature end to her season, there are some positives in her plans moving forward. She and Spanish coach Francisco Roig have confirmed that their partnership will continue into 2026, giving Raducanu some much-needed stability after numerous coaching changes in recent years. Raducanu has posted updates suggesting she is feeling better and has undergone further medical checks.
Raducanu’s 2025 season had shown signs of revival: she notched 28 match wins across multiple tournaments, advanced to the quarterfinals in Miami, and delivered what many viewed as her strongest Grand Slam showing since 2021. But the recent health struggles in China have cast doubt over her momentum and her chances of being seeded at the Australian Open in early 2026, as well as her physical readiness for the coming season.
With this season now concluded, all eyes will be on Raducanu’s rehabilitation, her physical resilience, and how she rebuilds toward a stronger 2026 campaign.
