British tennis stars Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper will represent Great Britain together at the United Cup in January 2026. The mixed-gender team tournament runs from January 2-11 across Perth and Sydney. It will mark their first competitive appearance after both ended their 2025 seasons early due to injuries.
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper Ended Their Season Early But Look Forward to Return
Raducanu wrapped up her 2025 season in mid-October following health problems on the Asian swing. Her last match came on October 14 at the Ningbo Open, where she suffered lower back issues against Lin Zhu in the first round. Medical staff monitored her blood pressure, whereas the week before, she had retired from the Wuhan Open’s opening match after experiencing dizziness.
Before these setbacks, Raducanu skipped the Billie Jean King Cup in September to focus on tour matches and improve her ranking. The physical demands caught up with her, and she withdrew from tournaments in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Despite the difficult finish, she reached World No. 29, her best ranking since 2022.
With nearly three months away following her Ningbo exit, Raducanu will return at the United Cup.
Emma will start her 2026 season at the @UnitedCupTennis 🇦🇺🦘 with Jack Draper
The United Cup runs from January 2-11
For more info on the tournament ⬇️https://t.co/HKvll9UD1G pic.twitter.com/oT1GpKsJHv
— Raducanu News☀️ (@RaducanuNews) October 29, 2025
She expressed enthusiasm about her decision, saying, “I’m honoured to be able to make my United Cup debut in January. Being able to play for Team GB with my teammates is a unique opportunity and week to enjoy. It’s great to be able to experience a new format on the tour, represent my country and spend a couple extra weeks in Australia.”
Raducanu will continue working with coach Francisco Roig, the Spanish coach who worked with Rafael Nadal, into 2026. With a full pre-season training block planned, there’s optimism around her comeback.
Draper’s Recent Issues and The Iconic Partnership
Draper has faced his own challenges, notably an arm injury after Wimbledon, which sidelined him for seven weeks, and bone bruising, which limited his return at the US Open. He exited after his first singles match but reached the mixed doubles semifinals with Jessica Pegula.
Despite these setbacks, Draper expressed excitement, saying, “I am excited to get back on court and compete in the United Cup. I’ll be looking out for the draw to see if Team GB will play in Perth or Sydney. I haven’t been to either, so it will be nice to compete in a brand new city in Australia.”
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The partnership between Raducanu and Draper draws interest, given their history. The two have known each other since childhood, training at the National Tennis Centre and competing in junior tournaments. Over the years, they’ve developed a strong friendship and mutual respect. Draper has spoken warmly about Raducanu, while Raducanu has praised Draper’s competitive fire.
While an awkward moment between them at the US Open sparked speculation, both have confirmed they remain friends and teammates. This United Cup appearance marks their first time representing Great Britain together in a team format.
