#Ema Raducanu’s 2026 Opener: United Cup Debut with Jack Draper – A Team GB Power Play Down Under
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and Britain’s No. 1, has locked in her first competitive action of 2026: a high-stakes debut at the **United Cup**, the ATP-WTA mixed-teams extravaganza that kicks off the tennis calendar in Australia. Paired with fellow Brit top dog Jack Draper, the duo will don Team GB colors from **January 2-11** across Perth and Sydney – a fresh twist for Raducanu, who’s historically favored solo Slams over squad battles. It’s her first United Cup outing, and a savvy pre-Australian Open warm-up that doles out ranking points for singles while letting her flex in potential mixed doubles with Draper.
#### Why the United Cup? A Strategic Swerve from Tradition
Raducanu’s early-season pivot marks a departure from the usual Brisbane or Adelaide WTA 500s – think her 2025 Auckland title run or Sydney semis. Instead, she’s embracing the team vibe: 18 nations duke it out in round-robin groups (one men’s singles, one women’s singles, one mixed doubles per tie), with knockouts feeding straight into AO fever. For Raducanu (World No. 29 after a gritty 28-15 2025), it’s a low-pressure(ish) re-entry post her abrupt season finale – withdrawals from Tokyo and Hong Kong amid health scares like Wuhan dizziness and Ningbo woes.
Draper’s on board too, fresh off an arm injury that sidelined him post-US Open. The pair’s excitement? Palpable. Raducanu gushed:
**“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. 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.”**
Draper chimed in: **“I am excited to get back on court and compete in the United Cup… it will be nice to compete in a brand new city in Australia.”** Up to four more GB players (think Katie Boulter or Lily Miyazaki from 2025) could join, but the Draper-Raducanu core screams “star power.”
#### The Loaded Field: Aussies, Poles, and Potential Fireworks
GB joins early commits like hosts Australia (Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint) and runners-up Poland (Iga Świątek and Hubert Hurkacz, hungry for a first title after two final heartbreaks). The $10m purse and AO proximity make it a must-watch – could GB clash with de Minaur’s squad in a trans-Tasman thriller? The draw drops November 17.
| Team | Stars | 2025 Finish |
|——|——–|————-|
| **Great Britain** | Raducanu, Draper | N/A (Debut) |
| **Australia** | de Minaur, Joint | Group Stage |
| **Poland** | Świątek, Hurkacz | Runners-Up |
Raducanu’s Road to Oz: Health, Coaching, and Hype
This slots neatly after her December Miami exhibition vs. Amanda Anisimova – her lone 2025 hit-out since Ningbo. She’s sticking with coach Francisco Roig (ex-Rafael Nadal collaborator) into 2026, banking on his tweaks for consistency after a year of Miami QFs, Washington SFs, and that career-high No. 23 flirtation. Off-court? She’s been “unwinding” in Asia, plotting a top-20 surge.
For Raducanu, it’s redemption arc fuel – her first team event since a unbeaten BJK Cup semis in 2024, post her Olympics snub. A strong United Cup could seed her deep at the AO (Jan 18). Expect GB flags waving – and Raducanu’s backhand firing. Down Under drama awaits. 🇬🇧🇦🇺🎾
