Emma Raducanu’s Dreams Crumble: Unexpected Career Setback and Draper Breakup Rocks Fans — Click to See Full Story and Photos
Emma Raducanu’s start to the 2026 season has taken an unexpected turn after confirmation that she will not be heading into the Australian Open alongside fellow British star Jack Draper, dealing the former US Open champion a clear double blow both on and off the court.
For much of the past year, Raducanu and Draper had been loosely linked as potential mixed-doubles partners and, more broadly, as training allies heading into the first Grand Slam of the season. Their shared background, similar age, and overlapping support teams had fuelled expectations that the duo would kick off 2026 together in Melbourne, presenting a united front for British tennis. Draper’s recent announcement, however, has put an abrupt end to those plans.
Draper confirmed that his Australian Open schedule will follow a different path, prioritising a tailored singles-focused build-up designed to protect his body and maximise performance after an intense 2025 campaign. The decision makes sense from a physical and strategic standpoint, but it leaves Raducanu facing a disrupted start to her season at a time when continuity and momentum are critical.
The first blow for Raducanu is the loss of a familiar and trusted presence. Over the past two seasons, Draper has been one of the few British contemporaries progressing along a similar timeline, with both players navigating injuries, scrutiny, and the pressure of high expectations. Their informal partnership—whether in training blocks, practice sessions, or potential mixed-doubles plans—offered stability. Without Draper alongside her in Melbourne, Raducanu now heads into the Australian summer without that built-in support system.
The second blow is more competitive. Raducanu’s ranking trajectory has been delicate, with every early-season tournament carrying added importance. The Australian Open represents a major opportunity to bank points and confidence, especially after flashes of form in late 2025 suggested she was rediscovering her best tennis. A disrupted preparation, combined with changes to her off-court setup, risks undermining that progress before the season even properly begins.
There is also the broader narrative pressure. British tennis fans and media have long been eager for a new generation to establish itself consistently at the top level. Draper’s announcement reinforces the reality that their careers, while often compared, are moving on separate tracks. For Raducanu, that separation comes at a moment when she is still working to reassert her identity as a singles contender rather than a storyline-driven star.
None of this suggests Raducanu’s Australian Open prospects are doomed. She has proven before that she can thrive amid uncertainty, most notably during her remarkable 2021 US Open run. Her team remains confident that a customised preparation plan can compensate for the absence of Draper, and she is expected to arrive in Melbourne physically fit and mentally refreshed.
Still, the symbolism of the situation is hard to ignore. The idea of Raducanu and Draper launching 2026 together carried optimism—about British tennis, about shared momentum, and about a fresh start. Draper’s decision, however justified, removes that narrative and places the onus squarely back on Raducanu to shape her own path.
As the Australian Open approaches, Raducanu now faces a familiar challenge: blocking out noise, adjusting plans on the fly, and proving that her progress is no longer dependent on circumstances or associations. The double blow may sting in the short term, but how she responds in Melbourne could once again define the direction of her career.
