Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, recently announced her retirement from professional tennis due to ongoing physical challenges and injuries. Over the past two years, Raducanu has struggled with consistency and has been plagued by multiple injuries, including surgeries on both wrists and an ankle. These setbacks significantly impacted her ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport, ultimately leading her to make the difficult decision to retire at just 21 years old.
In her announcement, Raducanu expressed a mix of sadness and relief, acknowledging the toll that physical and emotional strain had taken on her. She emphasized that, while tennis had given her extraordinary opportunities, her health and well-being now had to take priority. Raducanu reflected on her tennis journey with gratitude and noted that stepping away from the sport felt like the right decision at this point in her life.
Her retirement has been met with overwhelming support from the tennis community, with players and fans alike praising her achievements and courage. Despite the challenges she faced, Raducanu’s legacy is firmly established, particularly through her historic US Open victory, where she became the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam【8†source】【9†source】【10†source】.