"Emma Raducanu remains hopeful that she will be able to compete this week at the United Cup after her 2026 season began with a concerning false start when she was forced to withdraw from her opening match in Perth. Raducanu pulled out of her highly anticipated clash with Naomi Osaka just an hour before play began but a significantly weakened Great Britain team admirably battled hard in the searing heat."
"The first week of the tennis season has done little to change opinions of Great Britain's top players, Draper and Raducanu, whose young careers have been filled with various physical issues. The duo were two of the earliest commitments for the United Cup, an exciting team that immediately marked Britain as tournament favourites in the build up to the event, but once again Draper and Raducanu have had to manage their frail bodies."
"Draper was forced to withdraw from the event due to his continued recovery from bone bruising to his left arm, which will keep him out of action for at least six months. Emma Raducanu speaks to media before the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth. Photograph: Colin Murty/AFP/Getty Images Raducanu's issues are less severe and she has been training throughout the past week in Perth, but this still represents another disappointing setback after being relatively healthy for most of the 2025 season."
Emma Raducanu withdrew from her opening United Cup match in Perth an hour before play against Naomi Osaka while managing a foot injury sustained at the end of last season. Katie Swan replaced her for the tie, and the Great Britain team competed strongly in the heat, with Billy Harris defeating Shintaro Mochizuki 7-6 (4), 6-3. Jack Draper missed the event due to bone bruising in his left arm and faces at least six months out. Raducanu has been training in Perth, remained present to cheer from the bench, and expressed hope that she will be able to compete later in the week.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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