Emma Raducanu’s 2025 Season Ends in a Whimper, Not a Bang

Another year, another season for Emma Raducanu that seems to have sputtered out right when it felt like it was getting started. The former US Open champion has officially called it a day on her 2025 season, pulling out of her last two scheduled tournaments in Tokyo and Hong Kong. If you’ve been following the Raducanu saga since her fairy-tale win in 2021, this news probably elicits a weary sigh more than genuine shock. It’s the tennis equivalent of your favorite show getting canceled on a cliffhanger—frustrating, but you kind of saw it coming.

The British star’s recent Asian swing was less of a triumphant tour and more of a painful stumble. It all went sideways last week in Wuhan when she retired mid-match against Ann Li, citing dizziness in the brutal heat. She then posted a not-so-reassuring selfie from a doctor’s office. But, in a move that screams “I can push through this,” she decided to play in Ningbo just a week later. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well.

The Brutal Reality of the Asian Swing

Anyone who has watched Raducanu play this year knows it’s been a rollercoaster of “Is she back?” moments followed by gut-wrenching setbacks. Her Ningbo debut was a perfect encapsulation of this frustrating cycle. She came out firing, won the first set against China’s Zhu Lin, and for a moment, the hope was back. Then, reality—and her body—hit back.

Looking lethargic, she had her blood pressure checked and was visibly struggling with a recurring back issue. By the end of the match, which she lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, she was barely moving. It was a tough watch. The decision to end her season feels less like a choice and more like a surrender to a body that’s been screaming for a break. Honestly, it’s probably the smartest move she’s made all year. Pushing through would have been pointless, risking further injury for a couple of minor tournaments.

What About the Australian Open?

With her season cut short, the big question is her seeding for the Australian Open in January. Currently ranked 29th, she’s right on the bubble. Being seeded is a massive deal in a Grand Slam; it means you avoid the big dogs in the early rounds. After a year of facing brutal draws, a favorable path in Melbourne is exactly what she needs. But now, it’s all up in the air, a cruel game of wait-and-see while her rivals rack up points.

There is a sliver of good news, though. It seems the revolving door of coaches has finally stopped spinning. Reports confirm she’ll be sticking with Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s long-time former coach, for the 2026 season. After a seemingly endless parade of mentors, finding some stability in her corner could be the game-changer Raducanu desperately needs. Roig is a seasoned pro who knows what it takes to build a champion, and maybe, just maybe, he’s the one who can finally help her put the pieces together.

A Season of ‘What Ifs’