Emma Raducanu is getting ready to begin the 2026 WTA Tour season, which will begin at the United Cup.
Raducanu, the British number one, has enjoyed her best season on Tour since 2021, when she won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
The British star has risen to world number 29 and will be a seeded player at a Grand Slam event for the first time since the 2022 Australian Open.
Raducanu’s 2026 season will begin on January 5 when Great Britain take on Greece in their opening United Cup match.
The British team, who are without Jack Draper, will also play Japan in the group phase of the competition.
Emma Raducanu’s dominant record against her United Cup opponents
On January 5, Great Britain’s Billy Harris is expected to contest a match against former Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Following that match, Emma Raducanu will play former world number three Maria Sakkari.
Raducanu has an extremely strong record against her Greek opponent, having won all four of their contests on the WTA Tour.
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Raducanu first defeated Sakkari on her way to the 2021 US Open title. Since then, the Brit has defeated the Greek star at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, the 2025 Dubai Championships and the 2025 Washington Open.
Raducanu may also face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who has enjoyed a resurgent year on the Tour and could be a major player at Grand Slam events in 2026.
Although Raducanu and Osaka have not formally been pitted against one another, they are the two highest ranked female players competing at the United Cup for Britain and Japan respectively.
This means it is very likely that the pair will play each other when Britain face Japan.
Raducanu and Osaka have played each other just once before: at the 2025 Washington Open. Raducanu won the contest 6-4, 6-2.
Emma Raducanu has never played at the United Cup
Emma Raducanu will be making her United Cup debut in 2026.
The tournament was first held in 2023. That year, Cameron Norrie, Katie Swan, Harriet Dart, Jonny O’Mara and Dan Evans all played for Great Britain.
In 2024, Norrie, Katie Boulter and Neal Skupski participated in the event.
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This year, Boulter, Billy Harris, Charles Broom and Olivia Nicholls all suited up for Team GB. The 2025 team recorded Great Britain’s best-ever result, reaching the quarter-finals.
