Sport. Tennis. United Cup. Multiple grand slam winner Naomi Osaka lands in Perth ahead of the United Cup. Naomi is gifted a soft toy quokka.
BREAKING: Naomi Osaka has officially landed in Perth, expressing her enthusiasm for her highly anticipated debut at the United Cup on January 1, 2026. The four-time Grand Slam champion touched down Saturday afternoon, just days before the tournament kicks off and stars from around the globe begin to gather.
Osaka, a two-time Australian Open winner and former world no.1, is set to represent Japan in high-stakes singles matches against Great Britain’s former US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Greek ex-world no.3 Maria Sakkari. Her return to the court comes after a year away due to pregnancy, and she is eager to make her mark in this new season.
“I haven’t been to Perth in a little minute, so it’s good to be back,” Osaka stated, highlighting her excitement. “I’ve never played the United Cup before, but I’m going to treat it like the Billie Jean King Cup. I’m glad I’m here.” This sentiment reflects her desire to engage with top-tier competition, having missed the entirety of the 2023 season.
Last year, Osaka impressively climbed the rankings to finish as world no.16, reaching the semifinals of the US Open—her first time advancing past the third round in a major since her victory in the 2021 Australian Open. Her previous visit to Perth was nearly eight years ago for the Hopman Cup, where she faced a formidable Swiss team featuring Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic, who is also back for the United Cup this year.
Osaka is not alone among stars arriving in Perth. Coco Gauff, the women’s world no.3, and men’s world no.6 Taylor Fritz will represent the USA, while Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, a consistent top-10 player, is also in attendance. Meanwhile, Greek dual grand slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and Swiss three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka are expected to arrive later today.
In a disappointing turn, former world no.4 Jack Draper has withdrawn from the United Cup and the Australian Open due to injury. He will be replaced by Billy Harris, currently ranked no.130 in the world, who will step in to compete for Great Britain.
With excitement building and fans eager for the action to commence, all eyes are on Perth as the United Cup promises thrilling matchups. The tournament is set to kick off the 2026 tennis calendar, making it a must-watch event for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
Stay tuned for further updates as the tournament approaches!
