Great Britain's tennis star Emma Raducanu is approaching the 2026 season with renewed optimism, aiming to solidify her impressive return to the sport's upper echelons as she prepares to spearhead her nation's United Cup campaign in Perth.
From US Open Sensation to Steady Climber
More than four years after her stunning US Open victory as an unheralded teenager, the 23-year-old Raducanu has successfully navigated a challenging period to reaffirm her status as a top-tier player. After finishing 2023 ranked a lowly world No. 285, she powered back inside the top 60 the following season and continued her ascent throughout last year, firmly re-establishing herself within the top 30.
Her consistent progress was marked by a career-best third-round appearance at the Australian Open, a feat she matched at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Raducanu credits her rebound to a philosophy of sustained, incremental improvement.
"For me, it’s about stacking the good days," Raducanu explained. "I’ve been putting in some good practices, and even if each practice isn’t as perfect as you want it to be, the consistency of it is the most important thing and that’s what really helped me last year."
Leading Team GB in Perth Showdown
With British men's number one Jack Draper sidelined by injury, Raducanu will lead Team GB's charge at the mixed-team United Cup. The tournament kicks off for them with a blockbuster tie against Japan's Naomi Osaka at Perth's RAC Arena on Sunday.
Raducanu expressed enthusiasm for the unique team environment of the United Cup, a change from her previous season-openers at the Auckland Open. "It’s a great way to start the year, being part of a team environment," she said. "It’s a little bit easier to settle into the year, which is so competitive and individual. It’s nice to share this with the team."
Focus on Process Over Results
While eager to build on her momentum in 2026, Raducanu emphasised the importance of staying grounded and focused on daily progress rather than getting ahead of herself.
"It’s easy to think ahead about results, but the days are passing so quickly when you’re focused on your own session and the things that you can control," she noted. She highlighted significant off-court wins, including improved physical conditioning and a more composed mental approach.
"Physically, I’ve also improved, I was able to play more matches," Raducanu said. "My approach to playing. I’ve been a lot better, a lot more composed, but at the same time enjoying it a lot more again. That’s been a big win for me."
As she stands on the brink of the new season, Raducanu's journey from grand slam champion to rankings struggler and back to contender is a testament to her resilience. Her immediate focus is on delivering for her team in Perth, setting the stage for what she hopes will be a landmark 2026.
