British tennis superstars Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper have moved a step closer to playing together after confirming their joint participation in the United Cup.
Raducanu, 22, and Draper, 23, are childhood friends and have provided support to each other throughout their careers, successes, and rises through the world tennis rankings.
They have now both signed up for Great Britain duty for the 2026 season, going early with the agreement that they will play in the only mixed event that is ratified by the ATP and WTA Tours.
The tournament will start on January 2 in Perth and Sydney, and takes place a fortnight before the first major of the year with the Australian Open in Melbourne, which starts on January 19.Â
It is yet to be revealed whether they will play together in the same match, but chances have increased – games in the group stage consist of one men’s singles tie and one women’s singles match, as well as a mixed game.
Draper is currently injured, and hasn’t played since the US Open in August. He is due to return to action at the start of December, taking part in the Universal Tennis Showdown Exhibition.
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper could be set to play together next year for Great BritainÂ
Raducanu, who has pulled out of Great Britain duty twice this year, has been friends with Draper since they were children
He said upon confirming his participation alongside Raducanu:Â ‘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 haven’t been to either, so it will be nice to compete in a brand new city in Australia.’
Raducanu, who recently teamed with Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, meanwhile, said:Â ‘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 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 extra weeks in Australia.’
The former US Open champion faced criticism for skipping Great Britain twice in the Billie Jean Cup, but has still signed up for the United Cup.
After Draper tasted success at Indian Wells in March, Raducanu expressed her pride.
She told Sky Sports:Â ‘I’m so happy for him. He is someone that I have known since [we were] so small, we were literally kids.Â
‘We grew up together and I know how much work he has put in, how much he deserves it. I’m just really happy and rooting for him.’
Raducanu spoke of her pride in Draper’s success after he won a title at Indian Wells in March
Raducanu has been playing with Carlos Alcaraz but may now be set to pair up with another big name in Draper
In September last year, meanwhile, before his semi-final defeat at the US Open, Draper spoke of how Raducanu’s victory at Flushing Meadows in 2021 inspired him to achieve success in the sport.
‘What Emma did was obviously incredibly inspiring,’ he said. ‘I’ve known her from a young age, and to see what she did was incredible.
‘I was very proud of her, very excited. Obviously, we’ve watched the likes of Andy Murray winning a Grand Slam from Great Britain, but her winning, it was just really a fairy-tale run.
‘I definitely think as a competitor, it fuelled my fire. I really wanted to achieve what she’d done, winning a Grand Slam. I learned a lot from watching Emma win, that run, and how amazing she was.’
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Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper could play TOGETHER to form British super team next year as childhood friends sign up for Great Britain duty