Emma Raducanu withdraws from China Open amid lingering foot injury

Emma Raducanu can't catch a break. 

The 2021 U.S. Open winner withdrew from the China Open on Monday, just days after she retired from her Korea Open quarterfinal due to a foot injury. 

The 21-year-old Briton confirmed she withdrew from the event in Beijing due to the same injury.

"I sprained some ligaments in my foot which unfortunately need some more time to heal," Raducanu wrote on X. "It means I can't play in Beijing but I hope to be back competing as soon as I can."

The latest setback comes after Raducanu missed the bulk of last season with various injuries, forcing her to be mindful of her workload in 2024. As part of her reduced workload, she played just one tournament between the Wimbledon and U.S. Open, with the lack of reps playing a role in her early ouster from Flushing Meadows.  

Following her U.S. Open exit, Raducanu vowed to participate in more WTA Challenger and Tour events to improve her preparation for grand slams. That's precisely why she was determined to play the events in Beijing and Seoul, before another event in Wuhan starting on Oct. 7. 

Raducanu said she was keen to end 2024 with a lot of tennis under her belt in order to prepare for the 2025 Australian Open. However, the latest injury setback could throw another wrench in those plans. 

If the latest injury ends Raducanu's 2024 season, all is not lost. The Briton has played 32 games this year, which is two short of her tally of 34 in 2022 — the most she has played in a single season. In comparison, she played just 10 matches in 2023 and 18 matches in 2021. If she can play another season of 30-plus games in 2025, she could slowly but surely improve her chances of lasting the arduous WTA Tour.