Why did Bradie Tennell withdraw from the 2026 World Championships? US figure skater addresses retirement rumours

Bradie Tennell is clearing the air. The United States figure skater spoke out after fans began wondering if she had quietly retired from the sport. The rumours started when Tennell decided to withdraw from the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The 28-year-old American skater addressed the speculation directly on Instagram. She told fans that her decision to skip the event was personal but it does not mean she is retiring. Tennell made it clear that she is still part of the sport and is simply choosing not to compete at this year’s Worlds.

The 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships will take place in Prague starting Tuesday, March 24. The competition brings together the best skaters in the world across men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs and ice dance. While Tennell will not be competing this time, she said she is excited to support Team USA from afar. Her message quickly caught the attention of skating fans who were concerned about her future.

Bradie Tennell explains decision to skip Worlds and shuts down retirement rumours

Bradie Tennell shared her thoughts through Instagram Stories on Saturday, March 7, explaining why she decided not to compete at the 2026 World Championships. Her comments were first shared with fans through Instagram. “I just wanted to jump on here to address a couple things I see circulating since the Worlds announcement,” Tennell wrote. “The decision to give up my sport was my own.”

She also explained that the decision was not made quickly and that many factors were involved. “It wasn’t one I made lightly. There was much thought and many reasons, I wasn’t passed over, and I’m (thankfully) not injured,” Tennell added.

Even though she chose to skip Worlds, Tennell made one thing very clear. She is not retiring from figure skating.

“Please don’t mistake this for a retirement announcement because that’s not what this means,” the American skater said. “They are two entirely different decisions. Thank you for all of the concern and support. I’m doing well and very excited to cheer on the team from afar.”

Tennell is a familiar name in American figure skating. She made her Olympic debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics, where she helped Team USA win bronze in the team event. Her journey in the sport has not always been smooth. In 2023, Tennell suffered a serious ankle injury that ended her season. She later had surgery and spent months recovering before returning to the ice.

Earlier this year, Tennell also spoke about her mindset after the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where she finished fourth behind Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito.

“It’s taken me a bit to sort through some of my emotions about nationals,” Tennell wrote on Instagram in January. “This nationals was about more than placements & medals. I have never skated with such joy & love for this sport as I did last week.”

She also explained that she entered the event knowing that making the team would be difficult. “I came into this competition knowing that making the team was a long shot. I also knew that I wanted to go out and skate for the version of myself that I couldn’t four years ago.”

Tennell said her focus during recovery changed over time.

“My goal became happiness and to leave the ice every day proud of what I had done,” she wrote. “Through that shift in mindset, I started to come back to life. It wasn’t immediate or without setbacks, recovery is not linear.”

She added that looking back at her journey makes her proud.

“But I look back at who I was and see a girl who picked herself up time and time again to show the world she isn’t afraid of failure. And I’m proud of her. Without her, the woman, the athlete I am today wouldn’t exist.”





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