Emma Raducanu turned heads after being spotted practicing for the United Cup in Perth. The British tennis star was using a Yonex racket in practice instead of using her longtime Wilson gear. Though no official deal has been signed yet, it appears the former British US Open champion will be using a new gear in the 2026 season.
This has generated buzz on the internet with the growing presence of the $280 billion+ company Yonex among the sport’s elite. If she officially turns to Yonex as her main racket gear, she will join the likes of Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and others.
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Throughout her career, Raducanu has traditionally played with a Wilson Blade racket, which offers more control. Meanwhile, Yonex E-Zone rackets feature Yonex’s isometric head shape, which creates a larger sweet spot, giving a powerful feeling but comes with a loss of control.
The Wilson Blade is generally prioritized by players who generate their own power. Meanwhile, the Yonex E-Zone racket comes with a bit more power and a higher swing speed out of the box.
Raducanu’s clothing and sports shoes deals remain with Nike, though.
Emma Raducanu Headlines Great Britain at United Cup 2026
Emma Raducanu will represent Great Britain in the mixed-team event at the United Cup, which kicks off January 2 in Perth and Sydney, Australia. The event, which will end on Jan. 11, features 18 countries split into six round-robin groups.
Every tie between two member nations will include:
- One men’s singles match
- One women’s singles match
- One mixed doubles match
The matches will be played in Perth’s RAC Arena and Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena. The six group winners and the best runner-ups will advance to the quarterfinals. Raducanu’s Great Britain is placed in Group E alongside Greece and Japan. For the United Cup, Raducanu was supposed to pair with Jack Draper, but he has withdrawn from the event due to a left-arm injury.
“Obviously we would love to have him in the team. He’s such an integral part of British tennis,” Raducanu said. “But we just wish him all the best. As his team-mates, we can just hope he gets better soon so he can join us for the future events.”
Emma Raducanu has not featured in a competitive tennis match since October, when she withdrew from the South Asian events due to illness.
