Emma Raducanu is swapping the solo grind for team fireworks in 2026 – and the payday could be her sweetest yet.
The 22-year-old British No.1 has teamed up with Jack Draper as her new on-court partner for the United Cup (January 2–11, Perth/Sydney), where the duo could play mixed doubles together for the first time. It’s a headline-grabbing British pairing: Raducanu (WTA No.29) and Draper (ATP No.11) – two stars on the rise and fan favourites with serious flair.
The Payday Breakdown (2026 prize money – up 11% from 2025)
| Win | Singles | Mixed Doubles (per player) | Total Possible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group match | £4,200 | — | — |
| Quarter-final | £8,400 | — | — |
| Semi-final | £16,800 | — | — |
| Runner-up | £33,600 | — | — |
| Champion | £20,000 | £40,000 (if they play and win) | £60,000+ |
Add a £53,000 appearance fee as Britain’s No.1 woman, and Raducanu could bank over £100,000 in one week – before the Australian Open even begins.
Why Draper? The Perfect Plot-Twist Partner
They’ve been close friends since junior days, backing each other through injuries and media storms. The chemistry is already there – and now they get to channel it on court. Their partnership adds a spark of excitement to Team GB’s campaign, and fans are already buzzing for an Emma-and-Jack mixed doubles debut.
There’s also some poetic irony: just last summer, Raducanu lost to Draper and Jessica Pegula in a US Open mixed doubles first-round match. Now, they’re on the same side of the net.
“It’s an honour to play for Team GB alongside my teammates,” Raducanu said. “This is a unique opportunity – and I’m looking forward to it.”
2026 Roadmap: 11 Weeks Off, Then a Big Return
- Now to December: Full pre-season training with coach Francisco Roig, the former Nadal mentor who’s extended his contract through 2026.
- December: Miami exhibition match vs Amanda Anisimova.
- January 2–11: United Cup (draw out November 17), with potential clashes against Poland’s Iga Świątek and Hubert Hurkacz or Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint.
- January 12–26: Australian Open, where Raducanu is expected to be seeded if she remains inside the world’s top 32.
The Big Picture
After a stop-start 2025 season (28 wins, 21 losses) that included a Miami quarter-final and Washington semi-final before injury setbacks, Raducanu’s long pre-season signals a reset. The United Cup offers ranking points, momentum, and a six-figure payday – not to mention a chance for GB redemption after she skipped the Billie Jean King Cup earlier this year.
This is the most optimistic Emma Raducanu has sounded in years: refreshed, focused, and thriving in a team setup.
The message is clear – she’s paired up, paid up, and primed for a major 2026 comeback. Perth or Sydney, the Aussie summer is set to start with a bang. Who’s ready for #DraperRaducanu doubles magic? 🎾🇬🇧
