Emma Raducanu‘s 2026 started off on a less-than encouraging note, with the British No 1 forced to pull out of her first match of the new season just hours before it was due to start.
The 23-year-old was due to play for Team GB in United Cup action in Perth this week as she begins her pre-Australian Open tune-up, but withdrew from the match at the eleventh hour before her first tie against former world No 1 Naomi Osaka.
Raducanu has not revealed details of the injury that has troubled her, but team captain Tim Henman shared that it was a marginal decision which ruled out his player for her opening tie.
‘I’ve got to be honest, she was very, very close,’ Henman told Australian broadcaster Nine.
‘It was not any easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well. I don’t think she is necessarily out of this tournament just yet.’
Raducanu was replaced by fellow Briton Katie Swan, who was defeat by the Japanese-American star in straight sets.
Emma Raducanu withdrew from her clash with Naomi Osaka at the eleventh hour on Sunday
The 23-year-old has been in Perth for Team GB duties in the United Cup to kick off the year
But she is thought to have remained inside the RAC Arena where Britain are playing their fixtures to watch her compatriots, cheering on Billy Harris to victory against Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki 7-6 (6-4), 6-3.
‘I think, at the end of the day, it’s a team event and Katie’s playing great so it gives me an extra day, so looking forward to this match,’ Raducanu said of her withdrawal, opting not to share further details on the nature of her physical issue.
Raducanu’s season came to a close in October amid illness at the tail end of the Asian Swing, but she has been optimistic about her pre-season preparations with her coach Francisco Roig, who joined her set-up last summer.
But after multiple seasons struggling with physical ailments, Raducanu enjoyed a relatively unblighted 2025, and will be pushing for a seeded berth at the Australian Open with her ranking at 29th.
‘I’ve learned a lot about myself this year,’ Raducanu said during her off-season. ‘The start of the year was not very smooth. I went through some very difficult times on and off the court but it really taught me the strength that I have to pull myself out of it. Also what I need to do to avoid falling back in again.’
Team GB had already been subject to substitutions following the withdrawal of Raducanu’s would-be doubles partner Jack Draper, as his return from injury also took a dire turn.
The world No 10 has not played since his US Open exit in September, and announced that he will be missing out on competing in Melbourne at the first Grand Slam of the year under frustrating circumstances.
‘Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to head out to Australia this year. It’s a really tough decision – its one of the biggest tournament in our sport,’ he said.
Raducanu will be looking forward to showing off her off-season work with new coach Francisco Roig
The Bromley native also enjoyed a peaceful and profitable winter break at her parents’ house
Fellow British No 1 Jack Draper’s return to court looks even further away after he was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open
‘However I’ve had this injury for a long time. I’m at the very, very end stages of the process and to step back on court into best of five set tennis so soon just doesn’t seem like a smart decision.’
Draper called time on his season early after struggling with bone bruising on his arm that he had been managing through a lacklustre grass season over the summer.
But the British No 1 was keen to stress that he had no shortage of desire to step back onto court at the earliest possible opportunity.
‘I’ve been through a fair amount of setbacks so far but, by far and away, this one’s been the most difficult, the most challenging, the most complex,’ he added. ‘It always seems to make me more resilient, more hungry, to make me want to become the player I want to become. I’m looking forward to getting back out there in 2026 and competing.’
