Emma Raducanu United Cup Defeat as Britain Lose to Greece

Published: 05 January 2025
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

Great Britain suffered a decisive setback at the United Cup as Emma Raducanu United Cup defeat headlines a bitter 2–1 loss to Greece in the round-robin group stage, ending British hopes of progression despite determined individual performances. Raducanu, playing her first competitive match of the year after an injury-ravaged off-season, fought bravely before fading physically in a three-set loss to Maria Sakkari, while Billy Harris narrowly missed a career-defining upset against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Raducanu was beaten 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 by world No 8 Sakkari in a match that showcased both her resilience and the lingering effects of her disrupted preparation. The 23-year-old entered the contest surrounded by uncertainty after revealing days earlier that a persistent foot injury had forced her off the court for much of the off-season, severely limiting her match readiness.

Despite those setbacks, Raducanu produced a spirited display. She moved freely during the opening two sets and grew in confidence as the match wore on, striking the ball early and taking control of rallies to level the contest. However, after forcing a deciding set, her physical reserves waned, allowing Sakkari to raise her intensity and dominate the closing stages.

Speaking after the match, Raducanu admitted frustration at the result but took pride in her performance given the circumstances. She explained that she had only begun hitting balls again two weeks earlier and had played very few practice games leading into the tournament. The ability to compete across three demanding sets, she said, offered encouragement as she builds toward full fitness.

The defeat followed an impressive but ultimately unsuccessful effort from British men’s No 5 Billy Harris, who pushed former world No 3 Tsitsipas to the brink in one of the best performances of his career. Harris claimed the opening set with aggressive serving and fearless forehand play before Tsitsipas responded emphatically, eventually sealing a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) victory in a tense final-set tie-break.

Harris, ranked No 127, said the match gave him confidence heading into the new season, despite the disappointment of defeat. He highlighted his ability to maintain a high level against one of the sport’s elite players as a positive foundation for the year ahead.

With the tie already decided, Britain claimed a consolation victory in the mixed doubles, where Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls defeated Despina Papamichail and Stefanos Sakellaridis 6-2, 3-6, 10-4. The result, however, was not enough to overturn the earlier losses.

Raducanu later expanded on the challenges she has faced in recent weeks, describing a prolonged period without competitive hitting and the difficulty of reintroducing the unpredictability of match play. She said the experience in Perth had provided valuable exposure and confidence, stressing that the season remains young and that she expects improvement as her training load increases.

The United Cup exit underlines the ongoing balance Raducanu must strike between rebuilding her fitness and rediscovering competitive sharpness. While the Emma Raducanu United Cup defeat marks a disappointing start for Great Britain, both Raducanu and Harris leave the tournament with tangible positives as they look ahead to the rest of the 2026 season.