Emma Raducanu's 2026 season has begun under a cloud due to a lingering foot injury.
The Briton had to pull out of a highly anticipated United Cup clash with Naomi Osaka on Sunday.
Emma Raducanu is training for United Cup with a new racket, can you guess what's her racket is? 👀 pic.twitter.com/PXxnDoyFb3
— el (@hideandrise) December 29, 2025
World no. 29 withdrew just hours before the encounter, with her troubled foot still not fully settled. Emma's availability for the rest of the United Cup remains uncertain.
Great Britain captain Tim Henman revealed that Raducanu was close to competing. She trained well and progressed positively in the days leading up to the tie against Japan.
However, the team ultimately decided not to take the risk so early in the season and a couple of weeks ahead of the Australian Open. The setback is real, as Emma wanted to test her current level against Naomi.
However, she has not been ruled out of further participation at the United Cup. World no. 29 is monitoring her condition closely ahead of the potential duel against Maria Sakkari on Monday night.
Emma Raducanu, United Cup 2026© Stream screenshot
The withdrawal came as a disappointment after Raducanu had spoken optimistically about building on her physical improvements from last season, which guided her return to the top-30.
The Briton scored 28 victories in 2025. She was the quarter-finalist in Miami and secured a semi-final spot in Washington. The other results were not that good, but she still managed to close the year in the top-30.
"I have got to be honest, Emma was very, very close. It was not an easy decision. She had been building up and practicing really well. But we just felt this morning it was a little bit too early.
I do not think she is necessarily out of this tournament just yet, so we are keeping our fingers crossed," Tim Henman said.
