Emma Raducanu’s Team GB Pivot: “Honoured” United Cup Debut with Jack Draper After BJK Cup Backlash
Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British No. 1 and 2021 US Open champion, has opened up on her decision to represent Great Britain at the 2026 United Cup – a notable U-turn from her recent team tennis absences, including skipping the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen last month. Teaming up with fellow top Brit Jack Draper for the mixed-gender event in Perth and Sydney (January 2-11), Raducanu described the commitment as a “unique opportunity” in her first comments since the LTA’s October 30 announcement, emphasizing national pride and a fresh start after a health-plagued 2025.
The Full Statement: Raducanu’s Excitement Laid Bare
In a heartfelt release shared across LTA and United Cup channels, Raducanu broke her silence on the shift, highlighting the appeal of team play amid her individual-focused recovery:
“I’m honoured to be able to make my United Cup debut in January. Being able to play for Team GB with my team-mates is a unique opportunity and week to enjoy. It’s great to be able to experience a new format on the tour, represent my country and spend a couple extra weeks in Australia.”
Draper, the ATP’s No. 11 who ended 2025 sidelined by an arm injury, echoed the buzz in his own statement:
“I am excited to get back on court and compete in the United Cup. I’ll be looking out for the draw to see if Team GB will play in Perth or Sydney. I haven’t been to either, so it will be nice to compete in a brand new city in Australia.”
The duo’s partnership – their first joint GB outing – could extend to mixed doubles, adding spice after they fell to Draper/Jessica Pegula in the US Open mixed first round (August 2025). United Cup director Stephen Farrow hailed the “new star power,” noting: “To see British No. 1s in Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu line up for the first time will bring new star power to the tournament.”
The U-Turn: From BJK Backlash to Team Embrace
Raducanu’s commitment flips the script on her 2025 team snubs: she passed on the Paris Olympics wildcard (citing surface switches and workload) and withdrew from the BJK Cup Finals to chase WTA points in Seoul, drawing fire from captain Anne Keothavong (“a significant blow”) and pundits labeling it “shortsighted.” GB exited early without her, fueling “diva” debates amid her injury woes (dizziness in Wuhan, back flare in Ningbo). Yet, her unbeaten 2024 BJK semis showed her team prowess – this feels like redemption, timed post her October 16 shutdown for recovery.
The United Cup’s format – less isolating than BJK, with AO-week points (crucial for Raducanu’s No. 29 seeding push) – suits her reset under coach Francisco Roig (retained for 2026 after a trial success). Draper’s Indian Wells Masters 1000 crown (beating Rune) and career-high No. 4 peak add firepower, despite his own arm/bone bruise setbacks.
| Event | Raducanu’s Stance | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Olympics | Declined wildcard | Health/surface concerns |
| 2024 BJK Cup | Played (unbeaten) | Team success in semis |
| 2025 BJK Cup | Withdrew | Prioritized Asian WTA events |
| 2026 United Cup | Committed | “Unique” team format, AO prep |
Road to Oz: Exhibitions and Expectations
Pre-Perth/Sydney: Draper’s UTS London return (December) vs. Raducanu’s Miami exhibition with Amanda Anisimova – her first hit since Ningbo. GB joins early commits like Australia (de Minaur/Joint) and Poland (Świątek/Hurkacz) – no Boulter/de Minaur awkwardness this time. Draw drops November 17; a deep run could seed Raducanu at the AO (January 18).
Raducanu’s words signal maturity: from solo survivor (28-21 in 2025, Miami QF highs) to team trailblazer. As she plots top-20 with Roig’s Nadal-esque tweaks, this U-turn? It’s the spark GB – and her legacy – craves. Perth or Sydney: where does the “new” Emma light up?
