Great Britain’s United Cup schedule has set up a big start, as Emma Raducanu will open her campaign against former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka. The event runs from January 2 to 11, and Raducanu is teaming up with Billy Harris as Britain competes in Group E alongside Japan and Greece. Japan and Greece will start the event on January 2, before Great Britain takes on Japan on January 4 at Perth’s RAC Arena.
Emma Raducanu Braces for Tough United Cup Opener Against Naomi Osaka
The match between Great Britain and Japan will feature a highly anticipated matchup between Raducanu and Osaka. The Brit currently holds a 1–0 head-to-head record against the Japanese star.
Raducanu’s 2025 season was cut short after she fell ill during the China tour. However, despite that setback, she still managed to finish the year ranked 29th in the world and reclaimed the British No. 1 spot.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Raducanu mentioned her progress over the past year and said she is hoping to carry that momentum into 2026. “I think for me it’s just about stacking the good days. I’ve been putting in some good practices. Even if each practice isn’t as perfect as you want it to be, just the consistency of it is the most important thing. That’s what really helped me last year,” she said.
“So I just hope to carry that on and enjoy the tennis, enjoy the process of what I’m doing, which right now I am,” she added. When asked about starting her season against former top-10 players Osaka and Maria Sakkari, Raducanu admitted it will be a tough test but said she is looking forward to the challenge.
“Yeah, very difficult matches. I played both of them last year. Really difficult. Obviously Naomi had a great end to the season as well. I’m expecting tough ones. Yeah, just hope to give it all and do my best,” Raducanu said.
While 28-year-old and four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka brings the experience, the recent results have favored Raducanu. The Brit defeated the Japanese star 6-4, 6-2 at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Both players will start 2026 with new coaches in their corner. Raducanu is now working with Francisco Roig. On the other hand, Osaka is making her United Cup debut and has brought in Tomasz Wiktorowski, who helped Iga Świątek reach the top.
Osaka finished 2025 ranked 16th after a US Open semifinal run, while Raducanu climbed back inside the top 30. Their second meeting in Perth feels like a big one, as Osaka will be looking to re-establish herself among the top players, while Raducanu will be seeking to carry forward the momentum she had to break abruptly in 2025.
