Emma Raducanu has described her current break in the Swiss Alps as the "best reset ever," but her preparation for the upcoming US Open has raised concerns as she continues to practice in an orthopedic boot. The British No. 1, whose season has been marked by injuries, was pictured training at a luxury fitness resort in St. Moritz, less than a month before the Grand Slam event in Flushing Meadows.
Raducanu sustained a grade-four stress fracture in her ankle following her appearance at Queen's Club, which prevented her from competing at Wimbledon. She was seen wearing the protective boot during her practice sessions, including working on her serve.
The former US Open champion is currently ranked 49th in the world. With her points from reaching the third round of last year's US Open set to expire, she is projected to drop out of the top 50. This could also see her lose her standing as British No. 1 to Katie Boulter, who is currently 20 points behind her.
Her withdrawal from Wimbledon meant she lost points gained from her previous year's performance, impacting her ranking. Raducanu will also face the possibility of a difficult first-round match at the US Open without a seeded position.
Meanwhile, fellow British player Jack Draper is also contending with injuries. Draper, who received a wildcard for the Canada Open in Montreal, has been dealing with ongoing issues that led to his withdrawal from Wimbledon and the Mubadala DC Open in Washington. Draper, coached by Andy Murray, has called for patience as he works to recover from a complex injury, currently ranked world No. 147.
Raducanu chose the Grand Hotel Suvretta House in St. Moritz for her "luxury fitness retreat." The hotel offers tennis courts, a spa, and access to alpine walking trails. Despite the scenic location and recovery focus, her continued use of the boot during practice on a clay court might be a point of concern for fans anticipating her return to hard court competition for the US Open.