Emma Raducanu calls Naomi Osaka “pure speed”, while Osaka once said the Brit carries “a royal air”. Their admiration hints at a rivalry still in its infancy, yet full of promise. Now, they will meet for only the second time in their careers, set to face off at the 2026 season-opening United Cup in Australia.
Both chasing a return to the top
Raducanu and Osaka enjoyed early success but have since searched for consistency at Grand Slam level. In 2025, both showed glimpses of top-tier form, making the upcoming year especially important for their careers. Each has a new coach—Francisco Roig guiding Raducanu and Tomasz Wiktorowski working with Osaka—bringing fresh direction and improved consistency in their games.
Upward momentum entering 2026
Their rankings climbed through 2025, with Osaka rising to world No.16 after a strong US Open run and Raducanu returning to British No.1 at No.29. Both aim to re-enter the top 10, a status they already enjoy in global name recognition. Starting the new season against each other only adds intrigue, making their clash in Perth one of the most-anticipated early matches of 2026.
Their first meeting offered clues
Osaka, a four-time major champion, and Raducanu, the 2021 US Open winner, met for the first time at the Washington Open in July. Raducanu dominated 6-4, 6-2, producing one of her finest wins of the year. Osaka admitted she had long admired Raducanu from afar, while Raducanu relished facing a “four-time Slam champ” under pressure.
Shared struggles beyond the court
Success has brought challenges for both. Raducanu dealt with a stalker incident, and Osaka has been open about her mental-health struggles, even stepping away from tennis after the 2021 US Open. Their paths, though different, reflect how fame has tested each of them.
United Cup format and group dynamics
The mixed-gender United Cup runs from 2–11 January, featuring national teams. Raducanu joins Jack Draper, Mimi Xu, Billy Harris, Lloyd Glasspool, and Olivia Nicholls for Great Britain. Osaka leads Japan’s challenge. Both nations share a group with Greece, with matches staged in Perth before the semi-finals and final in Sydney.
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