Photo via Yahoo Sports

Greg Rusedski praises Emma Raducanu for ‘smart play’ as he predicts where she could be ranked next year

British tennis star Emma Raducanu, who last competed at the Queen’s Club Championships in June, has been sidelined for much of 2026 due to a stress fracture in her lower right leg. The injury forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon and the US Open, dropping her ranking to world number 107—a position that would not secure her direct entry into the Australian Open next year.

Despite her absence, Raducanu has shared training footage, signaling her intent to return, though she has no plans to compete in additional tournaments this season. Former world number 10 Greg Rusedski has praised her decision, calling it a strategic move to prioritize recovery and fitness.

With six months of inactivity, Raducanu could qualify for a protected ranking, ensuring her spot at the Australian Open in 2027. Rusedski predicts she could challenge for a top-10 ranking again if she maintains her fitness and training momentum, emphasizing the importance of consistency over rushed comebacks.

Her 2026 season included early exits in major tournaments like the Australian Open and Roland Garros, with her best result being the Queen’s Club final, where she fell to Donna Vekic.

Up nextTennis· 2h ago

Toni Nadal completely disagrees with Carlos Alcaraz’s complaint in Shanghai, ‘I don’t like excuses’