The 2026 tennis season was meant to herald a new dawn for British tennis, with its two brightest stars, Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper, uniting for Great Britain at the United Cup. Instead, the opening days have delivered a painfully familiar narrative of injury and frustration, casting a shadow over their immediate prospects.
A Dream Team Undermined by Physical Woes
When the team for the United Cup was announced in October, the pairing of Raducanu and Draper was celebrated as a dream combination. As the nation's top players and leaders of a new generation, their joint participation promised much. However, given both athletes' recent histories, the more cynical question among fans was not about victory, but which player would be forced to withdraw first. Jack Draper was the first to succumb, pulling out of the entire Australian Open swing as he continues to recover from a bone bruise in his left arm.
Emma Raducanu's start was also compromised. She withdrew from her scheduled season opener against Naomi Osaka due to a foot injury that hampered her off-season preparation. She later competed in Britain's second tie against Greece, facing Maria Sakkari. While her foot held up, a clear lack of match sharpness was evident. She struggled with timing initially and faded physically in the third set, leading to defeat. She now has a week to prepare for her first individual tournament at the Hobart WTA 250 event.
Draper's Critical Path Back to Fitness
For Draper, the situation is more protracted and concerning. His current injury saga, stemming from the US Open in August where he played just one match, will now extend to at least six months. The 24-year-old has taken an optimistic public stance, stating in December he was in the final stages of recovery. He cited the demanding best-of-five sets format at the Australian Open as a key reason for his extended absence, feeling unprepared for that specific rigour.
A glimmer of hope emerged with his selection for Great Britain's Davis Cup team for the qualifier against Poland on 5 and 6 February. However, this period represents a devastating interruption for a player whose career has been persistently defined by physical setbacks. His professional debut in Miami in 2021 ended with cramping, a theme that has regrettably continued.
The Stark Contrast with Peers
The most alarming aspect of Draper's career is the scarcity of sustained fitness. His transcendent period between 2024 and 2025, which saw him reach the US Open semi-finals, win the Indian Wells Masters 1000 title, and rise to world No. 4, proved what is possible when his body allows consistent training and competition.
Yet, compared to his peers, his lack of court time is stark. At 24, Draper has contested just 169 ATP singles main draw matches. In contrast, other top-ten players born in the 2000s have far more experience: Carlos Alcaraz (22) has 345 matches, Jannik Sinner (24) has 407, and even Ben Shelton (23), who turned professional later, has played 19 more matches than Draper. This deficit in match play hinders both physical and mental evolution at a crucial stage.
2026 is now a critical year for Jack Draper's trajectory. His talent is undeniable—a destructive left-handed game, coupled with a strong work ethic and mental fortitude. Supported by a professional team, he has all the tools to rival the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner. The equation is simple but challenging: he must find a way to stay healthy. For both Draper and Raducanu, breaking the injury cycle is the paramount challenge if they are to convert their immense promise into lasting success.
