Emma Raducanu dealt another major blow as 2026 hits new low ahead of US Open

Emma Raducanu has been dealt yet another blow as her torrid 2026 has taken a fresh twist days before the US Open.

Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021, has been forced to deal with several issues so far this year.

At the start of 2026, Raducanu’s struggles in the majors continued as she exited the Australian Open after a second-round defeat to Anastasia Potapova.

Fast forward to March and the Canadian-born Brit struggled to overcome a viral illness, which ultimately saw her pull out of the Linz and Miami Opens.

Raducanu made a return for the French Open but did not make it past the first round at Roland Garros, losing to Argentina's Solana Sierra.

The 23-year-old’s fortunes appeared to have improved ahead of Wimbledon when she reached the final of Queen’s, losing 6-0, 7-6 (6) to Donna Vekić.

READ NEXT: Serena Williams reveals what she 'wasn't allowed' to do on court that Aryna Sabalenka can

Raducanu had played just six matches before her appearance at the British WTA 500 event at Queen’s.

Many thought her Queen’s showing was promising ahead of Wimbledon, but Raducanu was dealt another blow, developing a stress fracture in her lower right leg, ruling her out on the eve of the grass-court major.

"I've done everything possible to try to get to the start line, but after a final scan tonight the niggle I've been managing has developed into a stress fracture," Raducanu said at the time.

"I've been medically advised to stop pushing through."

Raducanu has yet to return to action and did not enter the Washington Open, which acts as a warm-up event for the rest of the North American hard-court swing, culminating in the US Open, in late August.

Due to her failure to enter the Washington Open, Raducanu has dropped 12 places to No. 49 in the WTA rankings after reaching the semi-finals of the event in 2025.

She is also set to miss out on the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open, which could see her ranking plummet further.

Last week, the LTA confirmed that Raducanu would enter the US Open and is hoping to return in time for the final major of the season.

Aryna Sabalenka remains top of the WTA rankings, with no other changes made to the top 20.

Some players have seen their rankings change due to a shift in the WTA Tour schedule. Last year’s Washington Open took place a week earlier than the 2026 edition, while the Canadian Open will start five days later than last year’s.

Maja Chwalińska, Madison Keys and Elise Mertens all gained a place, while Marie Bouzková dropped three spots.

WTA Top 20

1. Aryna Sabalenka

2. Elena Rybakina

3. Jessica Pegula

4. Coco Gauff

5. Mirra Andreeva

6. Karolina Muchova

7. Linda Noskova

8. Iga Swiatek

9. Amanda Anisimova

10. Elina Svitolina

11. Marta Kostyuk

12. Victoria Mboko

13. Naomi Osaka

14. Belinda Bencic

15. Jasmine Paolini

16. Iva Jovic

17. Sorana Cirstea

18. Diana Shnaider

19. Ekaterina Alexandrova

20. Anna Kalinskaya