McCartney Kessler Shocks Tennis World: Former Florida Gator Qualifies for French Open Main Draw

Rising American tennis star McCartney Kessler saw her breakout run at the 2025 Miami Open end abruptly when a lower-back injury forced her to retire trailing Emma Raducanu 6-1, 3-0 in the Round of 32. Even with the disappointment, the 25-year-old leaves South Florida having cemented her status as one of the game’s most intriguing new names—fueling a surge in online searches for “McCartney Kessler” and related keywords. A breakout season built on college pedigree Kessler, a former University of Florida standout and 2022 SEC Player of the Year, entered 2025 brimming with momentum. She cracked the world’s Top 50 for the first time in February and peaked at a career-high No. 42 ahead of Indian Wells, where she posted her first WTA 1000 main-draw win. Her 21-13 record and one WTA singles title this season have already delivered more than $1 million in career prize money and vaulted her into the race for WTA Newcomer of the Year honors. Miami Open run showcases fearless baseline game Blasting 23 winners in two earlier rounds, Kessler stormed past veterans Sara Sorribes Tormo and Varvara Gracheva to set up the marquee clash with 2021 US Open champion Raducanu. Although the Brit raced through the first set, Kessler’s aggressive first-strike tennis and 118 mph serve hinted at the weapons that have quickly become her trademark. The match ended after 43 minutes when spasms in her lower back made continued play impossible, but not before television cameras and social media timelines amplified her shot-making to a global audience. Injury update and road to recovery Speaking after her withdrawal, Kessler described the back issue as “a flare-up I’ve felt before but never this severe,” adding that precaution was the smart choice with the clay-court swing looming. Her team reports that an MRI showed no structural damage; a week of rest and targeted physiotherapy should clear her for Charleston, where she owns a main-draw wild card. What makes McCartney Kessler a player to watch • All-court versatility: Raised on hard courts in Calhoun, Georgia, but molded on the slow red clay during junior stints in Spain, Kessler is comfortable shortening points or grinding rallies. • College-honed resilience: Five years in Gainesville refined her mental toughness; she ended her collegiate career with the third-highest singles winning percentage in Gators history. • Growing fan base: Her candid behind-the-scenes content on Instagram and TikTok has pushed her combined following past 150 k, a marketing asset for tournament directors and sponsors. Looking ahead: Clay and grass opportunities Kessler’s heavy topspin forehand should translate well to Charleston, Madrid and Rome, events that award significant ranking points before Roland Garros. Last season she reached the third round of the French Open qualifying; direct entry into the 2025 main draw is now guaranteed. On grass, her flat backhand and natural slice could make her a dark horse at Eastbourne and Wimbledon. Bottom line An untimely injury may have halted McCartney Kessler’s Miami charge, but her rapid ascent, engaging on-court style and compelling backstory continue to drive search interest and headline buzz. Expect the Kessler conversation—and the keyword traffic it generates—to intensify as the tour shifts to clay and the American pursues her first deep Grand Slam run.