American WTA player announces the end to her 2026 season, ‘it’s not what I wanted’

McCartney Kessler has called an end to her 2026 season after the US Open.

Kessler is a former top 30 player and has won three WTA titles in her career, but has faced a more difficult season in 2026.

The 27-year-old has only won 16 of her 35 matches on the main tour this year, with Kessler failing to reach the semi-finals of any WTA event.

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After Kessler lost her last three matches, including in the first round of the US Open, she has announced that she will be taking a step back from the WTA Tour until 2027.

McCartney Kessler releases statement after ending her season

Kessler was beaten by Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round of the US Open, which is her only defeat in the opening round of any Grand Slam tournament this year.

The American has faced many physical struggles in 2026, perhaps most notably with Kessler suffering a back injury during USA’s Billie Jean King Cup defeat to Belgium.

Kessler has now taken to Instagram to confirm that she will be ending her season, despite stating that she did not want to make this decision.

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She wrote, “Grateful for the lessons this year taught me about trusting myself and listening to my body.

“That being said, this year has been physically demanding, and my team and I have decided it’s time to take a step back and let my body heal. It’s not what I wanted, but I know it’s what I need to give it my all on court. See you next year, healthier AND happier.”

Kessler’s post was liked by world number three Jessica Pegula, and she also received messages of support from the likes of Iva Jovic and Eva Lys.

While this is a decision Kessler did not want to make, she is not the only player who is currently taking a break from tennis, with Ajla Tomjlanovic, Lulu Sun, Marton Fucsovics and Beatriz Haddad Maia also announcing that they will be out for the rest of 2026.

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What will happen to McCartney Kessler’s ranking now?

As a result of Kessler’s struggle for form and fitness, she has dropped 42 places down from her ranking at the start of the season down to world number 73.

Kessler ending her season means that she will only drop further, having played four more tournaments in Asia in the latter stages of the 2025 season.

During the Asian swing last year, Kessler earned a total of 298 ranking points, which will now all drop from her ranking. This would currently place Kessler at world number 119 in the live WTA rankings.

This is significant for Kessler, as it means that she will not receive direct entry for the Australian Open next year and will have to compete in qualifying instead.

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The last time Kessler competed in the qualifying draw at a Grand Slam tournament was at Wimbledon in 2024, when she successfully advanced to the main draw.