Emma Raducanu was forced to withdraw from her opening match at the United Cup in Perth due to a foot injury, casting a shadow over the start of her 2026 season. The 23-year-old pulled out of her highly anticipated clash with Naomi Osaka just an hour before play began, leaving Great Britain to field Katie Swan as a late replacement.
Despite the setback, the British team battled admirably in searing heat to secure a 2-1 victory over Japan. Billy Harris, stepping in for the absent Jack Draper, defeated Shintaro Mochizuki 7-6 (4), 6-3. Swan then lost 7-6 (4), 6-1 to Osaka, but Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls sealed the tie with a 7-5, 4-6, 10-7 win in the mixed doubles decider.
Raducanu's foot injury has troubled her for over two months, forcing her to end her 2025 season early in October due to injury and illness. Great Britain captain Tim Henman said: 'She struggled with her foot for the end of last year. The improvement that she’s made has been fantastic... She is very close.' Raducanu remains hopeful of playing later in the tournament.
Harris, ranked No. 128, only learned he would replace Draper on Christmas Eve. He secured his first United Cup victory by overpowering world No. 99 Mochizuki. Swan, ranked 276th, pushed Osaka before the four-time Grand Slam champion found her form. Skupski praised the team's support: 'We tried to stay positive, stay together, keep the communication high.'
Great Britain face Greece next, led by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, for a place in the quarter-finals.
