Emma Raducanu’s journey back to tennis has been anything but smooth after multiple surgeries and setbacks, underscoring her grit and resilience. The 21-year-old British star, who captivated fans with her 2021 US Open victory, has faced a turbulent year marred by injuries that culminated in a long road to recovery. Raducanu recently opened up about the mental and physical challenges of her rehabilitation, her initial hopes for a quick return, and the unexpected hurdles that prolonged her recovery process.
In May 2023, after competing in just five tournaments early in the season, Raducanu posted a hospital selfie on Instagram, announcing that she would undergo surgeries on both wrists and her ankle. At the time, she confirmed she would miss Wimbledon, but there was uncertainty regarding her participation in the US Open and the rest of the year. What initially looked like a short break extended into an eight-month hiatus from professional tennis.
Reflecting on this period, Raducanu revealed how the process took a toll both physically and mentally. “I was out for eight months, and I had three surgeries. The rehab wasn’t as straightforward as everyone planned. Initially, the return to play was only meant to be four months, but it ended up being double because I came back a bit too quickly and did more damage,” she told *HSBC*. The prolonged recovery forced Raducanu to confront her impatience, teaching her valuable lessons in patience and resilience. “So I think I also learned a lesson in patience and trying to rush things.”
For a young player used to competing at the highest level, the forced break was particularly difficult. Raducanu admitted that she struggled to watch tennis during her absence because it was mentally challenging to see others competing while she remained sidelined. “When you’re on the sidelines watching everything go past you, it was difficult. I just had to shut it off, and I actually couldn’t watch anything,” she added.
When she finally returned in early 2024, debuting at the Auckland Open, her presence on the court brought relief to fans and analysts alike who had speculated about her ability to return to top form. Her comeback was closely observed, as many wondered whether her surgeries had alleviated the constant pain and discomfort that plagued her throughout the previous season. At first, Raducanu seemed to move with ease, showing no visible signs of wrist discomfort, and appeared to be on a path toward full recovery.
However, despite this promising start, Raducanu’s comeback faced minor setbacks. While her previous wrist injuries no longer posed an issue, she dealt with illnesses and small niggles in the initial months. These setbacks were unrelated to her past ailments, though they impacted her momentum and training. On the positive side, Raducanu expressed relief that her previous issues had not returned, noting how her past wrist problems had limited her practice intensity and overall performance. For now, the absence of wrist pain represented a hopeful turning point in her career.
Just as it seemed Raducanu was settling into a steady rhythm, a new injury derailed her progress. During the Asian swing, she sustained ligament damage in her ankle while competing in Seoul. This injury was a crushing setback, as Raducanu had arrived in Asia with intentions of playing four to five tournaments in the region. Speaking to the press in Seoul, she expressed her determination to use her matches as much-needed practice, saying, “I think the rest of the year, as long as I’m healthy, I’m going to try and finish the season and play as many matches as I can. It’s something I’m really light on since the grass through the D.C. period. I’ve not played many points, even in practice.”
Raducanu’s Seoul campaign was cut short in the quarterfinals against Daria Kasatkina, with the British star forced to retire due to her ankle injury. Initially, there was hope that the injury was not severe and that she could participate in the following week’s Beijing Open. But just a few days later, Raducanu confirmed her need for more recovery time, officially withdrawing from Beijing and several other events in Asia, including Wuhan, Ningbo, and Guangzhou. On September 23, Raducanu shared an update with her followers: “Last week in Seoul, I sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need more time to heal. It means I can’t play in Beijing, but I hope to be back competing as soon as I can.”
Her efforts to return for the Hong Kong Open were also thwarted, as she later announced her withdrawal from the tournament despite her foot making progress. The Brit remains hopeful, however, that she will soon be match-ready, as she’s aiming to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November. Sharing her status update last Tuesday, Raducanu said, “I’m sorry to say that I will not be able to play in Hong Kong next week. Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit. I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future! In the meantime, I am doing what I can to be ready for BJKC.”
For now, Raducanu’s focus is firmly on regaining her health and finding her stride before the close of 2024. She is eyeing the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with optimism, hoping it will provide a fresh opportunity to finish the season on a strong note. Though her journey has been filled with setbacks, Raducanu’s patience, dedication to her recovery, and resilience highlight her determination to overcome these challenges. Her comeback in 2024 may not have been the straightforward return she envisioned, but the lessons she’s learned could ultimately fuel her growth as she prepares for a fresh start in 2025.