Emma Raducanu’s stop-start 2026 season has hit another hurdle, with the former US Open champion withdrawing from the Miami Open as she continues to recover from illness.
The British No. 1, who was seeded and had received a direct entry into the second round, made the decision to step away before the tournament began, prioritising her health over competition. The main draw in Miami is set to run until March 29, but Raducanu will not feature this year.
According to official updates, the 23-year-old is still dealing with lingering post-viral symptoms after falling ill during her recent stint on the Middle East swing. This marks another setback in what has been an inconsistent season so far.
Raducanu entered 2026 looking to rebuild momentum but has struggled to find rhythm on tour, suffering early exits in tournaments across Doha and Dubai, along with fitness concerns, have limited her ability to string together consistent performances. Despite showing promise with a run to a WTA final earlier in the year, her overall record has remained evenly balanced.
The withdrawal is particularly significant given her strong showing at the Miami Open last year, where she reached the quarter-final. By skipping the event, she risks losing valuable ranking points, which could impact her position on the WTA standings in the coming weeks.
Since her historic breakthrough at the US Open in 2021, Raducanu has faced a series of physical setbacks and frequent changes in coaching staff, making it difficult to maintain continuity in her game. Her current phase reflects a broader challenge of balancing recovery, form, and long-term development on the tour.
Looking ahead, Raducanu is expected to shift focus to the upcoming clay-court season, with a potential return pencilled in for April once she regains full fitness. For now, her priority remains clear, recovery first, competition later.
