LONDON — The 2026 tennis season was meant to herald a triumphant, full-time return for Emma Raducanu, but it has begun with a concerning setback that has forced her mentor, Tim Henman, into a decisive and public intervention. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, was forced to withdraw from her opening match at the United Cup in Australia, citing a recurring wrist issue, casting immediate doubt on her participation in the season's first Grand Slam.
A Painful Start to a Crucial Year
The United Cup, a mixed-team event, was Raducanu's scheduled debut for the new season. Paired with British teammate Cameron Norrie, she was set to face Germany's Angelique Kerber in a high-profile singles clash. However, just hours before the match, the British team announced her withdrawal, replaced by Katie Boulter. The official reason given was "discomfort" in her right wrist, the same wrist that required surgery in 2023 and sidelined her for eight months. This development sent shockwaves through the British tennis community, raising familiar alarms about the 22-year-old's physical resilience.
For Tim Henman, the former British No. 1 and a key figure in Raducanu's support network, the withdrawal was the final straw. Henman, who has been a vocal advocate for a simplified and sustainable approach to Raducanu's career, had watched with growing concern as she embarked on a pre-season that included high-profile exhibitions and a packed schedule. Speaking to the BBC from Melbourne, Henman did not mince his words, stating that the decision to skip the United Cup singles was a necessary, if difficult, intervention. "Sometimes, as part of a team, you have to make decisions for the greater good and the long term," he said.
Henman's "Tough Love" Approach
Henman's comments revealed a "tough love" strategy aimed at protecting Raducanu from herself. He emphasized that the primary goal for 2026 must be consistency and health, not immediate results. "The focus for Emma this year isn't about winning a tournament in week one," Henman asserted. "It's about building a foundation. She's missed so much tennis. The priority has to be getting her body robust enough to withstand the tour."
This perspective is born from a painful recent history. Since her fairytale run in New York, Raducanu's career has been defined by a frustrating cycle of brief comebacks and prolonged absences due to a catalogue of injuries. Her 2025 season, while showing flashes of her brilliant best, was again interrupted by niggling physical problems. Henman's intervention suggests a new, firmer management style is being implemented to break this cycle. Key elements of this approach reportedly include:
- Radical Schedule Reduction: A move away from chasing ranking points at every opportunity to a carefully curated calendar focusing on major events and specific surfaces.
- Pre-emptive Withdrawals: Pulling out at the first sign of discomfort, rather than risking exacerbation by playing through pain, as may have happened in the past.
- Training Modifications: A continued evolution of her training regimen, likely with a greater emphasis on preventative strength and conditioning over pure tennis volume.
The Australian Open in Jeopardy
The immediate consequence of this withdrawal is a major question mark over Raducanu's participation in the Australian Open, which begins in just over a week. As a former Grand Slam champion, she holds a special ranking entry, but her readiness is now the sole concern. Henman admitted the situation is touch-and-go. "We're taking it day by day. The medical team is assessing her. The Australian Open is the target, but only if she is 100% fit to compete. There will be no risks taken."
This cautious stance represents a significant shift in philosophy. In previous years, the pressure—both external and self-imposed—to compete at the biggest tournaments may have pushed her towards a premature return. Henman's very public stance acts as a shield, managing expectations and clearly signalling that long-term health trumps short-term glory. The reaction from pundits has been largely supportive. Former British Fed Cup captain Annabel Croft stated, "It's heartbreaking to see, but Tim is absolutely right. You cannot build a house on sand. Emma's body is the foundation, and it clearly needs more time to solidify."
A Pattern of Persistent Problems
Raducanu's wrist problems are particularly troubling due to their persistent nature. The right wrist is critical for the powerful, whip-like forehand that is a cornerstone of her game. The surgery in 2023 was supposed to provide a permanent solution, but the re-emergence of pain suggests either an incomplete recovery, a new but related issue, or an underlying vulnerability in her technique or physicality. This latest episode will inevitably lead to renewed scrutiny of her coaching and training setup, despite her working with renowned fitness experts over the off-season.
The United Cup itself was seen as a perfect, low-pressure team environment for her return. The fact she couldn't get through it is what prompted Henman's decisive action. "Seeing her in pain during practice this morning was the indicator," he revealed. "It's not a major tear or re-injury, but it's a clear signal from her body that it's not ready."
The Road Ahead for Raducanu
The coming days will be critical. Raducanu will undergo intensive treatment and assessment in Melbourne. The decision on the Australian Open is expected later this week. If she withdraws, the focus will shift entirely to rehabilitation, with the Middle East swing in February a potential new target. This setback, while disappointing, may ultimately be seen as the moment her team finally drew a definitive line in the sand.
Henman's "forced" decision, though potentially unpopular with fans eager to see their star play, is a stark acknowledgment of reality. The prodigious talent that captivated the world at Flushing Meadows remains, but it is currently trapped in a body that has repeatedly failed to keep up with its demands. By prioritizing patience over passion, Henman and Raducanu's team are attempting the most difficult project in tennis: not building a champion, but rebuilding one. As Henman somberly concluded, "This is a marathon, not a sprint. We have to be smart. Emma's future, which we all believe can be incredibly bright, depends on the choices we make right now."