Emma Raducanu was left out of Great Britain’s roster for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals scheduled for September in Shenzhen, China. The omission was notable because Raducanu, the British No.1, had been a regular fixture in the national team when healthy, yet the captain, Anne Keothavong, opted for a different line‑up that featured Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage. Raducaru's last competitive appearance came on June 14, when she produced a career‑high performance on grass by reaching the final at the Queen’s Club Championships.
That run was cut short by a lingering injury, and shortly thereafter she was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after doctors diagnosed a stress fracture in the lower right leg. The fracture has kept her off the court for roughly six weeks, and she has not been able to register any match wins since that June outing.
While the British tennis federation has not issued an official statement linking her injury to the squad decision, the timing suggests that her ongoing rehabilitation played a key role in her exclusion. Raducanu had also been omitted from the team that secured a qualifying win over Australia in April, despite being fit at that time, indicating that the captain may have been looking ahead to the demands of a grueling finals schedule.
The Billie Jean King Cup format allows each nation to name a fifth player closer to the event, which runs from September 22 to September 27. However, even if a late addition were possible, the uncertainty surrounding Raducanu’s recovery makes it unlikely that she would be able to contribute meaningfully in Shenzhen. The decision also fuels fresh speculation about her readiness for the upcoming US Open, which begins on August 30 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Raducanu captured worldwide attention when she won the US Open as a qualifier in 2021, and any lingering fitness concerns could jeopardise her participation in what is one of the sport’s marquee events.
Great Britain’s campaign in the Billie Jean King Cup continues without her. In her absence, the team defeated Japan to secure a third consecutive semi‑final appearance, only to fall to the United States thereafter. Looking ahead to 2026, the British side will open with a quarter‑final against the eleven‑time champions, the Czech Republic.
A victory would set up a clash with either Spain or Kazakhstan in the next round. Defending champions Italy will start against China, while Ukraine and Belgium are slated to meet in the opposite half of the draw.
Captain Keothavong explained her selections on the LTA website, saying, "It’s a great achievement to reach the Billie Jean King Cup Finals again and I am naming my initial nominations for the GB team. I’m pleased to select Katie Boulter, who knows what it’s like to step up on occasions like this, and the three women who played with so much heart and courage to upset Australia earlier this year, namely Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage. Czechia will be a very challenging first match for us but the players and I believe in our chances, since we have a very strong record in recent finals." The schedule, listed in UK and Ireland times, is as follows: - Tuesday, September 22 – Czech Republic vs Great Britain (10:00) - Wednesday, September 23 – Spain vs Kazakhstan (10:00) - Thursday, September 24 – Ukraine vs Belgium (03:00) and China vs Italy (not before 10:00) - Friday, September 25 – Winner of quarter‑final 1 vs winner of quarter‑final 2 (10:00) - Saturday, September 26 – Winner of quarter‑final 3 vs winner of quarter‑final 4 (10:00) - Sunday, September 27 – Winner of semi‑final 1 vs winner of semi‑final 2 (10:00) For tennis fans eager to follow the US Open and other major tournaments, Sky Sports will provide live coverage from August 30 onward, with streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app.
Subscribers can expect more than 50% additional live sport content this year at no extra charge. Overall, Raducanu’s omission underscores the delicate balance between player health and national team ambitions. Should her recovery progress faster than anticipated, there remains a slim window for a late call‑up, but the prevailing view is that the British squad will have to compete without one of its most high‑profile players as they chase another deep run in the Billie Jean King Cup.