Emma Raducanu's highly anticipated start to the 2026 tennis season has been abruptly halted, casting a shadow of concern over the British camp at the United Cup in Perth.
Last-Minute Withdrawal Dashes Osaka Showdown
The British number one, ranked 29th in the world, was forced to withdraw just hours before her scheduled opening match against former world number one Naomi Osaka. This marquee clash was set to be the centrepiece of Great Britain's opening tie against Japan in the mixed-team competition.
Raducanu, 23, was replaced by world number 276 Katie Swan, who ultimately fell to a 7-6(4), 6-1 defeat against a resurgent Osaka. Team captain Tim Henman revealed the decision was a difficult one, stating Raducanu had been "very, very close" to being fit and had been practising well in the build-up.
Injury Mystery and Hopeful Signs for Team GB
The exact nature of the injury that sidelined Raducanu remains undisclosed. This setback follows a challenging end to 2025 for the Briton, who missed two exhibition matches in December due to a bone bruise in her right foot and also fell ill during the Asian swing.
Despite the disappointment, Henman offered a glimmer of hope for British fans. He insisted Raducanu is not necessarily out of the tournament entirely and expressed optimism she could feature in Monday's tie against Greece. Henman is particularly keen for her to face Maria Sakkari, a player Raducanu holds a perfect 4-0 record against.
This withdrawal marks the second significant blow for Team GB in Perth, following the earlier pull-out of men's star Jack Draper, the world number 10. His replacement, Billy Harris, secured a crucial point for Britain with a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Japan's Shintaro Mochizuki.
Tournament Context and What Comes Next
The opening day's results left the Britain-Japan tie poised at 1-1, with the outcome to be decided by a mixed doubles match. Both nations are in Group E alongside Greece, who defeated Japan 3-0 in their first match.
All eyes will now be on Raducanu's fitness ahead of the clash with Greece. If declared fit, her potential duel with Sakkari could prove pivotal for Britain's hopes of progressing in the tournament. For now, the British squad and its supporters are left waiting anxiously for positive news on their star player's condition as the new season gets underway under a cloud of uncertainty.
