Emma Raducanu is gearing up for a significant start to her 2026 tennis season as she prepares to represent Team GB at the upcoming United Cup. The tournament, which kicks off on January 2, 2026, in Perth and Sydney, marks a strategic change for Raducanu, who has historically launched her year at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
Raducanu, currently ranked 29th in the world, finished 2025 on a high note, jumping 29 positions from the previous year. Her performance included a semi-final appearance at the Citi DC Open in July and a quarter-final showing at the Miami Open in March. Despite these successes, she faced challenges in the Grand Slam tournaments, failing to progress past the third round and winning only one of eleven matches against top-10 players. A minor back injury has cut her season short, but she now has 11 weeks to recover before the United Cup.
The United Cup, which has replaced the ATP Cup, features top male and female players competing in a mixed format. Each tie consists of one men’s singles match, one women’s singles match, and a mixed doubles match. Raducanu expressed her enthusiasm for participating, stating, “I’m honoured to be able to make my United Cup debut in January. Being able to play for Team GB with my team-mates is a unique opportunity.”
Her potential teammate, British men’s No. 1 Jack Draper, is also looking forward to the competition. Although he has been sidelined due to injury since the US Open in August, Draper anticipates returning to the court at the beginning of December for the Universal Tennis Showdown Exhibition. He remarked, “I am excited to get back on court and compete in the United Cup. I haven’t been to either [Perth or Sydney], so it will be nice to compete in a brand new city in Australia.”
The financial stakes for the United Cup are considerable. In 2025, the total prize money pool reached £8.4 million, reflecting a 17 percent increase from the previous year. Players receive a participation fee based on their ranking, with Raducanu potentially earning £53,000 as the top player on her team. Additional earnings stem from victories in matches, with singles players able to earn up to £213,000 for winning the final and £32,500 for winning a game.
If Raducanu and Draper were to compete together in the mixed doubles, they could earn £40,000 for a win in that category. Hypothetically, if Raducanu participated in every match and remained unbeaten against top-10 opponents, she could accumulate up to £750,000 in prize money and 500 ranking points.
As the United Cup approaches, both Raducanu and Draper are poised to make an impact. This early season competition not only provides valuable experience but also a significant opportunity for financial gain and team camaraderie. With the Australian Open set to commence on January 19, 2026, the stakes are high as Raducanu looks to build on her recent successes and navigate the challenges of a demanding tennis landscape.
