Emma Raducanu falls out of top 100 for first time in two years after shin injury
File photo: Vbrunophotog (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Injured since June with a shin stress fracture, Emma Raducanu fell to No. 107 in the WTA rankings of October 12, 2026, her first time outside the top 100 since 2024.
What Happened
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has dropped out of the world's top 100 in women's tennis for the first time in more than two years. In the WTA rankings published on October 12, 2026, the British player fell to No. 107 with 710 points, ending a run inside the top 100 that began in July 2024. She has not played since losing the final at Queen's Club on June 14 because of a stress fracture in her right shin, which also forced her out of Wimbledon. Reports say she is not expected to compete again until 2027.
Key Facts
- New ranking: No. 107, with 710 points, in the WTA list of October 12, 2026.
- End of a streak: her first time outside the top 100 since July 2024.
- Injury: a stress fracture of the right shin.
- Last match: the Queen's Club final on June 14, 2026; she then withdrew from Wimbledon.
- Season high: No. 23 in March 2026, her best ranking since 2022; she has fallen 84 places since then.
- 2026 record: 11 wins and 10 losses from 21 matches.
- Protected ranking: once she has been out for six months, in mid-December, she would qualify for a protected ranking of No. 31 for the 2027 season, including the Australian Open, according to one report.
Why It Matters
Tennis rankings are based on points earned over the previous 12 months. A player who cannot play does not earn new points, while old points drop off as the year rolls on. That is why a long injury layoff can send even a top player tumbling, as it has for Raducanu, who was ranked No. 23 only seven months ago.
The fall matters most for where she can play. Players outside the top 100 can struggle to get direct entry into the biggest events and may need qualifying rounds or wild cards. The protected ranking rule exists to stop injured players being punished for time away. If Raducanu qualifies for a protected ranking of No. 31 in December, she should be able to enter major tournaments, including the Australian Open, using that ranking rather than her current one.
For Raducanu, the injury came at a bad time. This season had looked like a turning point, with her ranking climbing back into the top 25 in March. The reported return date in 2027 suggests a cautious approach to her recovery.
| Date | Ranking or event |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | No. 23, best since 2022 |
| June 14, 2026 | Last match, Queen's Club final |
| October 12, 2026 | No. 107, out of top 100 |
| Mid-December 2026 | Six-month mark for protected ranking |
Impact
Short-term: Raducanu will slip further in the rankings while she recovers, as more of her past points expire. She will not play again this season.
Long-term: A protected ranking would give her a route back into the top events in 2027. Her ability to stay fit through a full season will decide whether she can return to the top 25.
Who is affected: Raducanu and her team, British tennis, tournament organisers who count on her popularity, and fans worldwide.
Key Takeaway
Injured since June with a shin stress fracture, Emma Raducanu fell to No. 107 on October 12, 2026, her first time outside the top 100 in over two years, but a protected ranking could help her return in 2027.
Questions and Answers
Why did Emma Raducanu drop out of the top 100?
She has not played since June 14 because of a stress fracture in her right shin. Without new results, her older ranking points expired, and she fell to No. 107 in the WTA rankings of October 12, 2026.
When will Emma Raducanu return to tennis?
Reports say she is not expected to compete again until 2027.
What is a protected ranking in tennis?
It lets a player who has been injured for at least six months enter tournaments using a ranking based on their position when they stopped. Raducanu would qualify for a protected ranking of No. 31 from mid-December, according to one report.
What was Emma Raducanu's best ranking in 2026?
She reached No. 23 in March 2026, her highest ranking since 2022.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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