Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper will group as much as signify Nice Britain at 2026 United Cup, the mixed-teams occasion that kicks off the tennis season in Australia in January.
The occasion is ready to mark the British No 1s respective returns to tour motion after accidents ended their 2025 campaigns early. Each gamers might be making their debut within the match.
The fourth staging of the occasion, which is being staged in Perth and Sydney on January 2-11, will characteristic 18 nations with groups of as much as six gamers – three males and three ladies – from every. The groups are initially break up into six teams, with three staged in every host metropolis, with the group winners and two runners-up advancing to the quarter-finals.
Every tie is made up of 1 males’s singles and one ladies’s singles match, that includes the respective top-ranked gamers, and one combined doubles match, which means Raducanu and Draper might play collectively within the latter relying on who else represents Nice Britain.
The United Cup is sanctioned by each the ATP and WTA Excursions and carries world rating factors for singles. The match takes place in direct build-up to the Australian Open, which begins first with qualifying from January 12 after which the principle draw from January 18.
Raducanu, who earlier this month withdrew from her remaining tournaments this yr on account of sickness, stated: “I am honoured to have the ability to make my United Cup debut in January.
“Being able to play for Team GB with my team-mates is a unique opportunity and week to enjoy. It’s great to be able to experience a new format on the tour, represent my country and spend a couple of extra weeks in Australia.”
Draper, whose season resulted in September on account of an arm harm after withdrawing from his second-round match on the US Open, added: “I am excited to get back on court and compete in the United Cup. I’ll be looking out for the draw to see if Team GB will play in Perth or Sydney.
“I have never been to both so it is going to be good to compete in a model new metropolis in Australia.”
Tournament director Stephen Farrow said: “To see British No 1s in Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu line up for the primary time will carry new star energy to the match.”
Draper had been due to play in this year’s event but withdrew due to injury. Katie Boulter, Billy Harris, Olivia Nicholls and Charles Broom represented Great Britain, who topped their group before losing to Poland in the quarter-finals.
Who else has signed up so far?
As part of the Wednesday’s announcement from organisers, Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint were confirmed for hosts Australia’s line-up.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz were the first duo to confirm their participation earlier this month. They lost to American pairing Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz in this year’s final.
The full list of countries and players in action will be revealed ahead of the official draw on November.17.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tour Finals, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this yr at no further price. Discover out extra right here.
