By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, October 30, 2025
Photo credit: LTA
Britain’s best will join forces Down Under in January.
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper have committed to representing Great Britain in the United Cup, set for January 2-11th in Perth and Sydney.
The British pair join Australians Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint as early commitments to the fourth annual United Cup.
World No. 6 de Minaur will make his fourth United Cup appearance and this time he won’t have to face the prospect of playing against fiancée Katie Boulter as Raducanu is representing Team GB.
“The United Cup is going to be a lot of fun,” de Minaur said. “The event is unique and it offers up something completely different for fans. They love to embrace the format and get behind the Aussies at home.
“The energy at the United Cup is electric. It’s fun being on court but also on the bench, being loud and noisy, supporting each other.”
The reigning Indian Wells champion Draper and 2021 US Open champion Raducanu both cut their seasons short to rest and recovery from injury. Draper has been nursing a sore left shoulder that caused him to withdraw from the US Open after his opening round win.
“I am excited to get back on court and compete in the United Cup,” former world No. 4 Draper said. “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.”
World No. 29 Raducanu enjoyed a bounce-back season initially working with Tennis Channel analyst Mark Petchey before partnering with new coach and former Rafa Nadal coach Francisco Roig before the US Open. Raducanu knocked off Marta Kostyuk, Naomi Osaka and Maria Sakkari en route to the Washington, DC semifinals in August. Raducanu is currently on pace to be seeded at the Australian Open in January.
“I’m honored to be able to make my United Cup debut in January,” Raducanu said. “Being able to play for Team GB with my teammates is a unique opportunity and week to enjoy.
“It’s great to be able to experience a new format on the tour, represent my country and spend a couple extra weeks in Australia.”
Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff led Team USA to the 2025 United Cup championship defeating Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz in the final.
Here are the early commitments for the 2026 United Cup.
Team Poland
Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz
Team Australia
Maya Joint and Alex de Minaur
Team Great Britain
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper
The United Cup draw is set for Monday, November 17th.
United Cup facts:
- The fourth edition of United Cup will be held from Friday, January 2nd, to Sunday, January 11th 2026.
- The group stage in Perth (RAC Arena) runs from Friday, January 2nd to Tuesday, January 6th. The quarterfinals in Perth will be held on Wednesday, January 7th.
- The group stage in Sydney (Ken Rosewall Arena) runs from Saturday, January 5th, to Wednesday, January 7th. The quarterfinals in Sydney will be held across Thursday, January 8th and Friday, January 9th.
- Sydney will host two semifinals on Saturday, January 10th followed by the final of the United Cup from 5.30pm on Sunday, January 11th.
