Emma Raducanu is set for a showdown in her very first match of the 2026 season as she is due to meet four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka at the United Cup.
After Raducanu and Osaka both signed up to make their United Cup debut in January and their respective nations landed in the same group, there was a big chance that the two Grand Slam winners could square off in early 2026. On January 2nd, Japan will take on Greece and the top-ranked Japanese female tennis player is due to face Maria Sakkari.
Two days later, Great Britain will kick off its United Cup run by taking on Japan in Perth. After Jack Draper and Shinzaro Mochizuki conclude their match, Raducanu and Osaka will step out on the court. It will be the second meeting between the two – the first came during the summer when the British tennis star beat the Japanese former world No. 1 6-4 6-2 in the Washington round-of-16.
How is Raducanu feeling ahead of starting her 2026 season?
Last week, the 2021 US Open champion met with British reporters for an interview and discussed a wide range of topics. During their conversation, the 23-year-old said that she was feeling "content" and "settled" this offseason.
“I think I went through some very difficult times on and off the court at the start of the year. But I think it really taught me, like the strength that I have to pull myself out of it. Also what I need to do to avoid falling back in again. A lot of it is spending time studying, spending time learning, spending time nurturing my brain and just constantly that’s something I need. Learning about myself has been a great thing. So I feel very content," the world No. 29 said last week.
Osaka could be a big test right out of the gate and winning that one would certainly be a confidence booster for Raducanu.
