LONDON, December 12, 2025 – In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the tennis world, British sensation Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, held an impromptu press conference from her family home in Bromley this afternoon, dropping a bombshell that has left fans, coaches, and rivals reeling. Just minutes ago, the 22-year-old revealed she’s stepping away from competitive tennis for the remainder of the 2025 season—and potentially into early 2026—to undergo specialized treatment for a nagging back injury that’s plagued her career for years. But that’s not all: Raducanu announced she’s hiring a top-tier sports psychologist to overhaul her mental game, signaling a full-scale “reset” aimed at reclaiming her spot at the top of the WTA Tour.
The gathering was intimate and raw—streamed live on her official X account to a global audience of over 500,000 viewers in under an hour. Dressed in casual sweats amid the cozy backdrop of her childhood living room, Raducanu’s voice cracked as she addressed the camera, flanked by her mother Renee and a whiteboard scrawled with motivational notes like “Control the Court” and “Unbreakable.” “I’ve given everything to this sport, but it’s time to listen to my body and my mind,” she said, wiping away tears. “The back issue flared up again during preseason training last week, and pushing through it isn’t the answer anymore. I’m committing to six months of intensive rehab in Barcelona with Francisco Roig and my new physio team. And honestly? I need to work on the mental side too—I’ve been carrying too much weight from expectations since New York.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a rollercoaster 2025 for Raducanu, who climbed back into the top 30 (finishing at No. 29 with a 28-22 record) after a string of impressive wins, including a near-upset over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati. Yet, injuries have been her Achilles’ heel: a foot tweak forced her out of December exhibitions in the US, and she ended her season early in October due to illness, skipping key Asian events like Tokyo and Hong Kong. Her planned Australian Open prep at the ASB Classic in Auckland was already in jeopardy, but this pivot confirms she’ll miss the January Grand Slam altogether—a devastating blow for a player who’s openly dreamed of contending for majors again.
Fans were quick to react, flooding social media with a mix of heartbreak and fierce support. “Emma, take all the time you need—we’ll be here when you’re ready to dominate,” tweeted one devotee, while another posted, “This is the smartest move. She’s building an empire, not chasing quick fixes. #RaducanuReset.” The tennis community echoed the sentiment: Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothavong called it “brave and necessary,” and even Naomi Osaka, Raducanu’s upcoming United Cup opponent in Perth, shared a heartfelt message: “Prioritize you, sis. The court’s not going anywhere.”
Roig, the Spanish coach who guided Rafael Nadal through his prime and joined Raducanu’s team earlier this year, will oversee her Barcelona stint alongside new physio Emma Stewart, a specialist in back rehab drawn from the British rowing team. The psychologist hire—a first for Raducanu—is perhaps the most intriguing twist. She’s long spoken about the “mental load” of fame post-US Open, admitting in a December Sky Sports interview that off-court pressures drained her energy. “I want to dictate what happens on the court, not just react,” she emphasized today, echoing her recent comments on evolving her aggressive baseline style.
This “stunning reset” could redefine Raducanu’s trajectory. At 22, she’s still young enough to return stronger, but the clock is ticking in a tour dominated by powerhouses like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Will this hiatus propel her to a second Grand Slam, or mark another chapter in her injury saga? One thing’s certain: the world is watching, breathless, as Emma Raducanu bets on herself like never before.
