Emma Raducanu pulls out of Naomi Osaka match hours before United Cup clash sparking Australian Open concern

Emma Raducanu has pulled out of her United Cup clash with Naomi Osaka in Perth.

The British number one was due to represent Team GB against the four-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday, but just hours before the match had withdrawn.

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No specific cause has been given for her withdrawal, but Team GB captain Tim Henman said she ‘was close’.

He told Australian broadcaster Nine: “I’ve got to be honest, she was very, very close.

“It was not any easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well.”

Henman said he hoped she would be fit for Team GB’s next group stage clash against Greece.

He told Nine: “I don’t think she is necessarily out of this tournament just yet.”

Osaka instead faced British number 10 Katie Swan and beat her 7-6, 6-1.

What did Emma Raducanu say?

The 2021 US Open winner did not elaborate on the nature of the injury that forced her to miss the opening match.

“I think, at the end of the day, it’s a team event and Katie’s playing great so it gives me an extra day, so looking forward to this match,” Raducanu said.

Emma Raducanu’s injuries

Raducanu has struggled for consistent form and fitness since that US Open win five years ago.

She cut short her 2025 season in October following physical struggles in the Asian swing where she struggled with illness.

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However, it was a positive campaign having completed 50 matches for the first time in her career.

She also climbed up to 29th in the women’s rankings, which means she is currently set to be seeded at the Australian Open.

Raducanu did then pull out of two exhibition matches in the United States in December citing a minor foot issue.

She then started her 2026 season in Barcelona with coach Francisco Roig.

The Australian Open begins on January 18 in Melbourne.

Team GB at the United Cup

Matches at the United Cup comprise of one men’s singles, one women’s singles and a mixed doubles.

Billy Harris, who replaced the injured Jack Draper, beat Shintaro Mochizuki before Swan lost to Osaka.

Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls will face Yasutaka Uchiyama and Nao Hibino in the mixed doubles.