Emma Raducanu to Debut for Great Britain in United Cup Amid Team Changes
Emma Raducanu is set to make her debut for Great Britain in the United Cup, with her opening match scheduled on Sunday against Japan's Naomi Osaka.
The Great Britain squad competing in the United Cup includes Emma Raducanu, Billy Harris, Neal Skupski, Olivia Nicholls, Jan Choinski, and Katie Swan, with Tim Henman serving as the team captain.
A significant team change occurred after Jack Draper withdrew from the Australian swing due to a left-arm bone bruise, resulting in his sidelining for at least six months. Draper had previously been ranked as high as No. 4 at Wimbledon but has played only one match since. Billy Harris, ranked No. 128 and aged 30, replaces Draper and joins the singles lineup. Harris also stood in as British No. 1 in the United Cup last year during Draper's hip injury.
Raducanu experienced her most stable season in 2025, finishing inside the top 30 at No. 29 and forming a coaching partnership with Francisco Roig since August. The team supporting her includes physio and strength coach Emma Stewart, who reports improvements in Raducanu's fitness and consistency.
The United Cup, now in its fourth edition, is held across Perth and Sydney. The competition features round-robin groups leading to knockout rounds in Sydney. Great Britain is placed in a three-team group with Japan and Greece, which fields top players Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari.
The event attracts top talent including Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Taylor Fritz, and offers ranking points to incentivize participation.
Other British team members include Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls, with Jan Choinski and Katie Swan acting as singles substitutes. Skupski is expected to partner with either Nicholls or Raducanu in the mixed doubles matches.
