Tim Henman has explained why he was “forced” to name Emma Raducanu in Team GB’s squad to face Greece at the United Cup, despite renewed injury concerns. Raducanu was expected to take on Naomi Osaka in Britain’s tie against Japan on Sunday, but withdrew hours before the match due to injury, and was replaced by Katie Swan.
The world No. 29 has still been listed in the team to meet Greece’s Maria Sakkari, whom she has a 4-0 record against, on Monday. But GB captain Henman knows there’s a risk that Raducanu won’t be ready to compete.
The British No. 1 had been suffering from light bone bruising in her right foot during the off-season, forcing her to skip two exhibition matches in America. But she still headed to Barcelona to complete a training block with her coach, Francisco Roig.
The foot issue plagued Raducanu again in Perth, however, as she was unable to take to the court against Osaka on Sunday. World No. 276 Dart suffered a 7-6(4) 6-1 defeat to four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, but Team GB still got the win as Billy Harris claimed victory in singles before Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski got the job done in mixed doubles.
The Japanese team have now been eliminated, and GB will meet Greece for a spot in the quarter-finals on Monday, when Henman hopes that Raducanu will be fit enough to face Sakkari.
“In terms of tomorrow, it’s still a little bit up in the air. We’re kind of forced to put Emma on the list because if we didn’t do that, then that only gives us one option,” the British captain said after the team’s victory against Japan.
“When we get back tonight, we’ll discuss it as a team. I think Katie did such a good job today. You think about her journey over the last 12, 18 months, to be out there against a Grand Slam champion on a big stage like that in a huge event representing her country, I thought her performance was brilliant.
“Look, I’m very happy whoever plays. Likewise whether it was Billy or Jan [Choinski], they’ve both been practising great. We do have options. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Earlier in the day, when Raducanu withdrew and was replaced by Swan, Henman said the world No. 29 had been close to competing. “I have to be honest, she was very close,” he told Australian broadcaster Nine.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well. But we just felt this morning it was a little bit too early. I don’t think she’s necessarily out of this tournament just yet. So we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”
In the other matches against Greece, Harris is expected to face Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Nicholls and Skupski will team up against Sakkari and Tsitsipas in mixed doubles.