Emma Raducanu follows in Jack Draper’s footsteps | Sports News

Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper are set to signify Great Britain on the United Cup in January.

The British No. 1s in the WTA and ATP rankings have been each compelled to finish their 2025 seasons early, however they’re already gearing up for subsequent 12 months, having signed on for the mixed-gender staff event.

This will probably be a first-time look on the event for each gamers. In previous years, Katie Boulter, who was lately compelled to retire on the Hong Kong Open, has been half of the British squad on the United Cup, discovering herself in a difficult place each time GB confronted Australia, as she was up towards her fiance, ATP star Alex de Minaur.

However, there will not be any uncomfortable encounters this time, with Raducanu and Draper main the staff because the No. 1 gamers for Britain for the primary time.

Raducanu has beforehand represented GB on the Billie Jean King Cup – primarily the World Cup of ladies’s tennis – however she withdrew from the BJK Cup squad twice this 12 months. Nonetheless, she’s enthusiastic about her United Cup debut.

“I’m honored to be able to make my United Cup debut in January,” the world No. 29 stated. “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.”

Draper expressed his pleasure in regards to the upcoming United Cup, stating: “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.”

Australia will probably be represented by De Minaur and Maya Joint, whereas world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz have already dedicated to returning for Team Poland. The United Cup kicks off on January 2, with group matches happening in each Sydney and Perth.

This will mark the primary tour-level appearances for each Raducanu and Draper since they have been compelled to finish their 2025 seasons. After struggling an arm harm post-Wimbledon, Draper returned to the courtroom seven weeks later on the US Open.

He teamed up with Jessica Pegula for the combined doubles occasion, the place they defeated Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz on their solution to the semifinals. However, Draper solely performed one singles match earlier than withdrawing from the US Open attributable to bone bruising in his left arm.

Raducanu, however, had a difficult Asian tour following the US Open. She misplaced two matches regardless of having a number of match factors and was compelled to withdraw from the Wuhan Open’s first spherical attributable to dizziness.

After a shocking early exit on the Ningbo Open and a mid-match health test, the 2021 US Open champion withdrew from her closing two tournaments of the 12 months attributable to health considerations. It’s understood that she had been feeling unwell for a number of days during the Asian swing however tried to proceed taking part in.

Draper is set to make his comeback on the UTS London exhibition occasion in December, whereas Raducanu is scheduled to go head-to-head with Amanda Anisimova in a one-off exhibition match in Miami. Following this, they will jet off Down Under to kick off their 2026 seasons on the United Cup, earlier than setting their sights on the Australian Open.