Emma Raducanu Ruled Out of United Cup Opener in False Start to New Season
British No. 1 Emma Raducanu was forced to withdraw from her opening match at the United Cup in Perth due to a foot injury, marking a disappointing start to her 2026 season. Raducanu had to pull out of her highly anticipated clash against Naomi Osaka just an hour before play began. Despite this setback, Team Great Britain fought hard in the intense heat and secured a 2-1 victory over Japan.
The British team saw Billy Harris step in for Jack Draper and earn a strong win over Shintaro Mochizuki. Emma Raducanu was substituted by Katie Swan, who played well against the higher-ranked Osaka but eventually lost. Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls then won the decisive doubles match to clinch the tie.
Both Draper and Raducanu have struggled with physical issues that have interrupted their careers. Draper remains sidelined due to bone bruising in his arm, and Raducanu’s foot problem has persisted for nearly two months, affecting her preparation for the new season. She spent the previous week training intensively in Perth despite the lingering injury.
Team GB captain Tim Henman provided insight into Raducanu’s injury status, noting her struggle with the foot last year but highlighting her progress through careful training. He indicated that her participation in upcoming matches was still uncertain, as the team was closely monitoring her condition.
Throughout the day, Raducanu remained supportive from the sidelines, offering encouragement and advice. She expressed hope that Katie Swan’s strong performance would give her extra recovery time to compete later in the tournament.
The absence of the team’s top players gave opportunities to other team members, with Harris securing his first victories in the competition. Despite lower ranking, Katie Swan fought valiantly against Osaka before the latter regained control. The doubles team of Nicholls and Skupski ultimately secured Great Britain’s win in a tense final-set tie-break.
Great Britain will next face Greece, a team featuring former top-ranked players Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, with a chance to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
