Emma Raducanu has made her first comments after being selected to represent Great Britain at the forthcoming United Cup tournament. The previous US Open champion will team up with Jack Draper for the mixed-gender event in January.
Both athletes had to end their seasons prematurely, with Raducanu withdrawing due to health issues and Draper dealing with an arm injury.
This will be the debut appearance for both players at the United Cup. Raducanu recently turned down the chance to participate in the Billie Jean King Cup for Britain in favor of individual competitions in Asia.
Despite this, Raducanu is enthusiastic about partnering with Draper for Team GB. She expressed her excitement about the unique opportunity to play for her country and experience a new tournament format during the event in Australia.
Draper also shared his anticipation for the United Cup, looking forward to competing and possibly playing in either Perth or Sydney. He mentioned his eagerness to compete in a new Australian city.
Following a challenging Asian swing post-US Open, Raducanu faced setbacks in her matches and health concerns, leading to her withdrawal from the remaining 2025 tournaments. She now has time to recover before the United Cup commences on January 2.
Meanwhile, Draper was sidelined due to an arm injury after Wimbledon and made a comeback at the US Open, where he had to withdraw due to arm issues. He is expected to return at the UTS London exhibition event, while Raducanu is scheduled for an exhibition match against Amanda Anisimova in Miami.
The duo will kick off their 2026 seasons at the United Cup before aiming for the Australian Open.
