British tennis star Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from her scheduled match against Naomi Osaka as Great Britain opened their United Cup campaign with a 2-1 group-stage victory over Japan in Perth, Australia.

The decision marks another step in Raducanu’s careful preparation ahead of the Australian Open 2026, set to begin in Melbourne on 18 January.

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Raducanu’s Recent Injury Concerns

Raducanu, who is currently the British number one, has not competed since October 2025. She also pulled out of two exhibition matches in the United States in December due to a minor foot issue, prompting concerns about her readiness for competitive play.

GB team captain Tim Henman confirmed the decision ahead of the tie against Osaka:

“I have to be honest, she was very close. It wasn’t an easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well. But we just felt this morning it was a little bit too early.”

Raducanu’s careful management of her foot injury reflects a wider strategy to ensure she is fully prepared for major tournaments, particularly the Australian Open.

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Struggles and Progress Since US Open Victory

Since her historic US Open 2021 win, Raducanu has faced ongoing challenges with form and fitness. Despite these hurdles, she completed 50 matches last season, a career milestone, and currently ranks 29th in the WTA rankings.

To regain her competitive edge, Raducanu began a month of pre-season training in Barcelona last December under the guidance of coach Francisco Roig, and added physiotherapist Emma Stewart to her support team.

Henman noted the significant progress:

“She struggled with her foot at the end of last year. The improvement she’s made has been fantastic. She’s been practising in London, only doing static drills, to be out on the practice court and moving and playing games. She’s very close.”

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Great Britain’s United Cup Success Without Raducanu

Despite Raducanu’s absence, Great Britain managed to secure a 2-1 victory against Japan.

• Billy Harris opened the tie with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory over Shintaro Mochizuki in the men’s singles.
• Katie Swan, who replaced Raducanu in the women’s singles, fell to Osaka 7-6 (7-4), 6-1.
• In the decisive mixed doubles match, Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls triumphed over Yasutaka Uchiyama and Nao Hibino 7-5, 4-6, 10-7, clinching the tie for Great Britain.

Henman praised the team’s spirit and dedication:

“The spirit has been so good since we arrived in Perth. Their work ethic and the camaraderie has been absolutely outstanding. My request was for them to go out there and enjoy the challenge and compete for every point.”

Great Britain will face Greece in their next Group E tie on Monday, with Raducanu’s participation still uncertain. Henman emphasized that her inclusion on the team list was necessary to maintain flexibility for future matches.

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Looking Ahead: Australian Open 2026

Raducanu’s withdrawal from the United Cup highlights the team’s cautious approach as they prioritize player fitness and performance ahead of major tournaments. Tennis fans will be watching closely to see if she competes in Melbourne for the Australian Open, where expectations remain high for the British star.