Britain's top tennis players, Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper, have started the 2026 season plagued by physical problems, raising concerns about their ability to stay healthy. The duo were set to represent Great Britain at the United Cup, but Draper withdrew before the tournament, and Raducanu missed her opening match due to a foot injury.
Raducanu eventually played against Greece's Maria Sakkari but showed signs of rust and fatigue, losing in three sets. She now has a week to prepare for the Hobart WTA 250 event. Draper, meanwhile, has withdrawn from the entire Australian Open swing due to a bone bruise in his left arm, extending his injury saga to at least six months. He has played only one match since the US Open, where he won his first-round match before withdrawing.
Draper, 24, has been named in Great Britain's Davis Cup team for a qualifier against Norway in early February, offering a potential return date. However, his career has been defined by injuries, with just 169 ATP main-draw matches compared to peers like Carlos Alcaraz (345) and Jannik Sinner (407). This year is seen as critical for Draper to prove he can maintain fitness and fulfil his potential.
