Emma Raducanu’s 2026 season got off to a bumpy start as she was forced to withdraw from her match against Naomi Osaka at the United Cup.
Tim Henman revealed a foot injury kept Raducanu out, but he was hopeful she would return for Great Britain’s match against Greece.
The winner of the tie between Greece and Great Britain will automatically go through to the knockout stages, so Raducanu will be desperately needed against Maria Sakkari.
Despite not playing at the United Cup yet, Raducanu has revealed the work she’s put in behind the scenes that fans don’t see.
Emma Raducanu says the public doesn’t see the hard work tennis stars put in away from the court
Speaking to Laura Robson at the United Cup, Raducanu said being a tennis player wasn’t as glamorous as it is made out to look.
Raducanu used Great Britain’s recent jaunt to Rottnest Island as an example of the way their lives are portrayed.
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“It was a four and a half hour round trip for 20 minutes on the island, but I think the public would only see the photo that was taken on the island and 7am we had to be in the gym and then 9am to 1:30pm Rott Nest, and then 2:30pm to 4:30pm tennis, and then treatment until like 6pm-7pm.”
Raducanu said the work in between is the toughest, and that is what doesn’t get seen by fans of the sport.
“By the time you get back and everything, a day goes like that. I think that is just part of our life that like we don’t post about all the work that we’re doing as well.
“You know, the media things that we do is the same as the training we do because it’s part of the job. So, I think that is probably one of the misconceptions.”
Raducanu’s match with Sakkari is set for 5 January and will take place in the evening session at the RAC Arena in Perth.
Emma Raducanu’s injury is a huge worry ahead of 2026
While Tim Henman hopes Raducanu will be back in action, this fresh new injury is a major concern for the British star.
The star missed the end of last season, which many presumed would make the British number one raring to go in 2026.
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The star’s arrival at the United Cup, as well as announcing her participation at the Hobart International, looked to be a sign that Raducanu would be more than ready for the Australian Open.
Coming into the new season with an injury makes her decision to play two lesser tournaments even more baffling.
Hopefully Raducanu bounces back from this minor injury and can take the 2026 season by storm under new coach Francisco Roig.
