Emma Raducanu gives verdict on representing GB after stepping up for country | Tennis | Sport
Emma Raducanu is kicking off her 2026 season at the United Cup, representing Britain at the mixed-gender team tournament staged across Sydney and Perth. And the pressure will be on her shoulders as the highest-ranked player in the squad to deliver. World No. 10 Jack Draper was forced to withdraw from the competition – and the Australian Open – as he continues to recover from an arm injury that has sidelined him since August.
Mimi Xu and doubles world No. 1 Lloyd Glasspool also dropped out, leaving 29th-ranked Raducanu to fly the flag alongside Billy Harris, Jan Choinski, Katie Swan, and doubles stars Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls, under the watchful eye of captain Tim Henman.
Raducanu hasn’t represented Britain as often as some would have liked in the Billie Jean Cup, essentially the World Cup of women’s tennis. She withdrew from their qualifier ties last April and then skipped the BJK Cup Finals in September to play a regular tour event instead. But the former US Open champion is relishing the chance to play for her country in Perth this week, where the British squad have been drawn to face Japan and Greece.
“I think it’s a great way to start the year being part of a team environment. It’s a little bit easier to kind of settle into the year, which is so competitive and individual. It’s nice to share this with the team,” Raducanu said.
“We all get on really well and have been having a great time off the court and on the court. It’s nice to be a part of that, and it’s such a change from what we usually do. Yeah, for me I’m just really happy to represent GB and have the opportunity to and also play in such a beautiful place and see Perth.”
The world No. 29 has just completed a pre-season training block with coach Francisco Roig in Barcelona, and also added physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach Emma Stewart to her team. Raducanu is now hoping to build on that work in 2026.
She added: “I think for me it’s just about stacking the good days. I’ve been putting in some good practices. Even if each practice isn’t as perfect as you want it to be, I think just the consistency of it is the most important thing. That’s what really helped me last year. So I just hope to carry that on and enjoy the tennis, enjoy the process of what I’m doing, which right now I am.
“I think it’s easy to think ahead about results, but the days are passing so quickly when you’re focused on your own session and the things that you can control. I think I have good people around me as well now, so it makes things easier. It makes the days go by in a really fun way, enjoyable way, but at the same time putting in a lot of good work. So yeah, hoping to stay consistent for 2026.”
Raducanu is expected to face former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka when Britain take on Japan on Sunday. She will then meet Greek star Maria Sakkari on Monday. She has beaten both women in the past, but is expecting a tough test.
“Very difficult matches. I played both of them last year. Really difficult. Obviously Naomi had a great end to the season as well. I’m expecting tough ones,” the 23-year-old said.
