As the New Year's fireworks illuminated skies 9,000 miles apart, Britain's tennis number ones, Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper, watched on. For these two childhood friends, the celebratory cracks and bangs signalled the start of a profoundly pivotal year, one that could define their careers.
A Role Reversal for Britain's Brightest Talents
Raducanu and Draper, separated by just eleven months in age, have long been linked as the most promising prospects in British tennis. For 2026, however, their challenges have starkly swapped. Raducanu, now with all the pieces seemingly in place, must prove she can consistently compete at the sport's summit—a feat Draper achieved in 2024 and early 2025. For Draper, the equation is frustratingly simple, mirroring Raducanu's own battle in 2025: he must demonstrate he can stay fit.
Raducanu's Foundation for Success
Currently leading Team GB at the United Cup in Perth—a key warm-up for the Australian Open—the 23-year-old Raducanu enters a season with unprecedented stability. Central to this is her coach, Francisco Roig, whose appointment breaks the mould of her previous short-lived mentoring relationships. Roig brings an impeccable 18-year pedigree from Rafael Nadal's inner circle.
His coaching philosophy, focused on constant motion and fluidity, appears tailor-made for Raducanu's game. Observers of her stunning 2021 US Open triumph will recognise this 'state of flow', which she has sought to rediscover ever since. Crucially, Raducanu trusts him, a rarity for the guarded star. Roig's proven discretion, honed over decades with Nadal, assures her their conversations remain private.
Her support team is also solidified, featuring the unconventional French physio Jerome Poupel and Emma Stewart, who worked with Britain's gold-medal rowing team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The message is clear: with no obvious excuses remaining, 2026 is the time for Raducanu to hit her peak.
Draper's Fitness Battle and Coaching Shift
In stark contrast, Draper finds himself in a familiar position for British tennis fans: sidelined by injury. A debilitating bone bruise in his powerful left arm has ruled him out of the Australian swing, extending a months-long absence. This latest setback is part of a persistent pattern for the 24-year-old, who has struggled with fitness since a dramatic teenage growth spurt, enduring shoulder and chronic hip issues.
His new fitness team, Matt Little and Shane Annun—both alumni of Andy Murray's camp—face the urgent task of building a more resilient athlete. Draper has already shown his world-class ability, rising to a career-high world number four, but his body has repeatedly failed him.
Compounding the challenge is a significant off-court change. Draper has split with long-term coach James Trotman, a separation partly driven by Trotman's desire for more family time. His replacement is Jamie Delgado, another former Murray confidant renowned for his work with Grigor Dimitrov. While Delgado is a top operator, replicating Draper's close, almost familial bond with Trotman will take time.
The Defining Question for 2026
As the new season unfolds, the narratives diverge. For Jack Draper, multiple question marks hover over his fitness, coaching transition, and ability to sustain a challenge at the top. For Emma Raducanu, the question is singular but monumental: with the optimal structure finally around her, just how good can she become? The answers for both will shape the future of British tennis for years to come.
