Two big names were forced to retire at the 2026 Qatar Open on Monday, with Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu both unable to complete their first-round matches. The American was the defending champion in Doha, while the Brit came into the tournament on the back of an excellent run to the final of the Transylvania Open.
Anisimova’s retirement came in the third set of her first-round contest, down 5-7, 7-6(3), 4-1 against Karolína Plíšková. Meanwhile, Raducanu retired in the deciding set of her match against Camila Osorio, trailing 6-2, 4-6, 0-2.
Possible Reasons Behind Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu’s Retirements at Qatar Open
Anisimova and Raducanu both had to take medical time-outs in the third set of their respective matches. Both players had their blood pressure checked and looked visibly uncomfortable as they left the court after retiring.
Raducanu had revealed after the Transylvania Open final that she had been battling a chest infection. “I was already battling a bit of a chest infection, but that [semi-final] match took it out of me extra… So today, I was pretty gassed from the start. But I would much rather have this situation than have lost that match and not played today and be a part of the final,” Raducanu said via the BBC.
Temperatures in Doha also reached 80°F on Monday, which could have played a role in their forced retirement.
With the Qatar Open being a WTA 1000 event, the early exit will be a big blow for Anisimova as she will drop out of the Top Five when the rankings are next updated. The American won the title last year after defeating Jeļena Ostapenko in the final.
Both players will now hope to return to 100% in time for the Dubai Tennis Championships, scheduled to get underway on February 15.
How Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu Fared at the Australian Open
The first Grand Slam of 2026 saw Anisimova make the quarterfinals before being eliminated by compatriot Jessica Pegula in straight sets. The 24-year-old’s run included wins over Peyton Stearns and Kateřina Siniaková, but she was unable to repeat her heroics from last year, when she reached two Grand Slam finals.
Raducanu had an Australian Open to forget as she was eliminated in the second round by Anastasia Potapova. The 23-year-old parted ways with coach Francis Roig in the wake of the tournament.
MORE: Emma Raducanu Makes ‘Sad’ Revelation About the Reasons Behind Her Loss in Transylvania Open Final
The 2021 US Open champion followed that up by reaching the Transylvania Open final, her first championship clash since her triumph at Flushing Meadows. Raducanu was beaten by Sorana Cîrstea in the final, losing 0-6, 2-6.
