Raducanu, Anisimova retire early at Qatar Open

Two high-profile players saw their 2026 Qatar Open runs end abruptly on Monday. Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu both retired from their opening-round matches at the Qatar Open, raising fresh concerns about fitness and the demanding early-season schedule.

Anisimova arrived at the Qatar Open as the defending champion, while Raducanu came in with confidence after reaching the Transylvania Open final. Neither player, however, was able to finish her match in Doha.

Raducanu started strongly against qualifier Camila Osorio at the Qatar Open. The British No. 1 broke early and cruised through the opening set 6-2.

But the momentum shifted in the second set. Osorio, ranked No. 80 in the world, steadied her game as Raducanu’s movement began to look labored, forcing the contest into a deciding set.

Trouble became clear early in the third. Raducanu chose not to chase a drop shot, lost her serve, and called for the physio. Her blood pressure was checked during a lengthy medical timeout at the Qatar Open.

She briefly returned to the court, but after dropping another game, she walked to the net and retired while trailing 6-2, 4-6, 0-2.

On the next court at the Qatar Open, Anisimova was also forced to stop her match. The American was battling former world No. 1 Karolína Plíšková in a tight three-set contest.

Anisimova had led by a set and a break earlier in the match. But after losing the second-set tiebreak and falling behind 4-1 in the decider, her condition appeared to worsen.

She, too, required a medical check, including a blood-pressure test. Unable to chase down shots, Anisimova eventually signaled she could not continue, retiring while trailing 5-7, 7-6(3), 4-1 at the Qatar Open.

Both players needed medical attention during their deciding sets at the Qatar Open. Officials checked their blood pressure as they showed visible signs of discomfort before leaving the court.

Raducanu had already hinted at health issues days earlier. After reaching the Transylvania Open final, she told the BBC she had been playing through illness.

Raducanu had already hinted at health concerns earlier in the week. Speaking to the BBC after her run to the Transylvania Open final, she said she had been dealing with a chest infection and felt drained after the semifinal, adding that she started the final feeling low on energy.

Weather and scheduling may also have played a role at the Qatar Open. Temperatures in Doha reached around 80°F, and many players have faced quick turnarounds between early-season tournaments.

Their withdrawals add to a growing list of absences across the WTA Tour. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka skipped the Qatar Open to rest after the Australian Open, while Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Naomi Osaka, Marta Kostyuk, Eva Lys, Loïs Boisson, Iva Jovic, Markéta Vondroušová, and Veronika Kudermetova have also pulled out of recent tournaments.

For Anisimova, the result carries ranking consequences after the Qatar Open. As the defending champion—after beating Jeļena Ostapenko in last year’s final—she is now projected to drop out of the Top Five when the rankings update.

The American has also had a mixed start to the 2026 season. She lost in the round of 16 at the Brisbane International to Marta Kostyuk and then fell to Jessica Pegula in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

After retiring at the Qatar Open, Anisimova admitted that illness had impacted her level. She said she was glad to be back in the event and eager to compete, but explained that she fell sick during the tournament and wasn’t at her best, even though she still felt it was a strong match overall.

Both players will now focus on recovery ahead of the Dubai Tennis Championships, which begin February 15.

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