Emma Raducanu has described her current break in the Swiss Alps as the "best reset ever," but her continued practice in an orthopedic boot has raised concerns among fans as the US Open approaches. Raducanu, the British No. 1, is rehabilitating a grade-four stress fracture sustained after reaching the final at Queen's Club.
The former US Open champion is staying at the Grand Hotel Suvretta House in St. Moritz, a luxury resort offering tennis courts, a spa, and access to alpine trails. Despite the picturesque surroundings, Raducanu has been pictured practicing her serve while wearing the protective boot, even perching on a rubbish bin to do so. She shared this on social media, captioning it with a winking emoji.
Raducanu's season has been marked by injuries, including a post-viral illness that affected her clay court performance. After her grass season culminated in a final appearance at Queen's Club, the subsequent stress fracture prevented her from competing at Wimbledon. As a result, she is set to lose ranking points from her third-round appearance at last year's US Open, potentially dropping her outside the top 50 and risking her status as British No. 1. She also faces the possibility of missing out on a seeded position at the upcoming Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, fellow British player Jack Draper is also navigating an injury-plagued season. Draper, who received a wildcard for the Canada Open, has been dealing with persistent issues that led to his withdrawal from Wimbledon and the Washington DC Open. He has emphasized the complexity of his injury and the need for patience as he works towards recovery. Draper, currently ranked world No. 147, has stated that he is doing everything possible to manage his condition and expects to return to competitive play in due course.
