NIKE OR UNIQLO? THE TRUTH BEHIND EMMA RADUCANU’S 2026 SPONSORSHIP SWITCH REVEALED NOW
Emma Raducanu arrives for the 2026 United Cup in Nike gear, silencing Uniqlo rumours. Get the latest on her fitness and schedule.
The tennis world's been buzzing about Emma Raducanu possibly leaving Nike for another brand before the 2026 season.
Word was she was getting ready to sign a big deal with Uniqlo, following in the footsteps of Roger Federer.
If she had dropped Nike, it would have been a shock. They picked her up right before she won the US Open in 2021 and became a global star overnight.
Even though she hasn't won a tournament since that US Open win four years ago, she's still popular, has tons of followers on social media, and everyone's still talking about her.
So, a switch to Uniqlo wouldn't have been totally out of left field. Since her mom is Chinese, the Japanese company might see her as having value for their brand.
But, when she showed up in Perth for the United Cup, she was still rocking Nike gear.
She could still switch to Uniqlo for 2026 since her Nike deal probably lasts until the end of the year. But for now, it looks like she's sticking with her current brand.
Her arrival in Australia also shut down rumors that a foot problem might keep her from starting the season.
She recently told the media she's feeling good about the upcoming season.
I feel solid with where I am at on and off the court. “I’m in a good spot,” Raducanu said.
I'm feeling like I am building back in the gym, to start with.
“I also feel pretty chill about next year, which is sweet. And I’m just proud of the season that I put in this year and the progress I have made.
Next year, I want to play less than I did this year. But I think also just putting fitness into my warm-ups, so it’s not necessarily just my fitness sessions that are separate.
So much has helped, and I think the biggest thing is little and often; just try and add in as much as you can for your overall health.
I think I’ve found peace with myself, and I’m happier with how I’m doing tennis and the team and the environment I have.
That’s the most important thing because it takes so much work to get where we need to be. And just enjoying each day and being healthy is awesome.
Raducanu is about to play her first event representing Great Britain in the United Cup, but Jack Draper won't be joining her since he's still dealing with an arm injury.
JANNIK SINNER CRUISES PAST NORRIE IN MADRID; EXTENDS DOMINANT MASTERS 1000 STREAK TO 25
Jannik Sinner stays perfect at Masters events, moving past Cameron Norrie in Madrid as he hunts for his first tournament win.
_1777379891.webp)
Jannik Sinner, the world number one, barely broke a sweat as he rolled past Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-5, locking in a Madrid Open quarter-final spot and stretching his ATP Masters 1000 win streak to 25. They kicked off at 11 a.m., so the heat wasn’t a problem, but Madrid’s allergy situation is brutal right now. Pollen levels are the highest they’ve been in 45 years, and clouds of yellow and white grains keep swirling through the Caja Magica, settling on the courts and bothering anyone with eyes or lungs.
Sinner didn’t look bothered, though. He’s still hunting for his first Madrid trophy, and he wasted zero time taking control. He bagged the first set in just 35 minutes, barely giving Norrie a chance.
Norrie, seeded 19th, tried to flip the script in set two. He withstood some early pressure but then dropped serve for 3-2 after a misjudged underarm serve that didn’t clear the net. Fans let out a chorus of boos. To his credit, Norrie broke right back and got things back on level terms at 3-3, keeping some hope alive.
The Brit dug in until the tenth game, but then a double fault gave Sinner two break points. Norrie fought both off but couldn’t save a third. Sinner converted and went up 6-5.
That was basically the end. Sinner stayed cool and finished things off in an hour and 26 minutes.
Afterwards, Sinner was satisfied. “I’m happy with my performance. I tried to play more aggressively, and I think it worked really well today against a tough opponent. Glad to get through in straight sets and ready for the next round.”
Up next, Sinner faces either Czech player Vit Kopriva or 19-year-old Madrid native Rafa Jodar, who’s in the draw on a wild card.
COCO GAUFF BATTLES THROUGH ILLNESS, VOMITING ON COURT TO ADVANCE PAST SORANA CIRSTEA
Coco Gauff battled a severe stomach virus to defeat Sorana Cirstea. See how she survived the illness sweeping the Madrid Open.
Coco Gauff caught the stomach bug that’s been knocking players out left and right at the Madrid Open. Even so, she somehow pulled out a win over Sorana Cirstea, grinding through three sets – 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 – on April 26 to book her spot in the round of 16.
It’s been a rough week in Madrid. Players keep dropping from illness; just ask Iga Swiatek, who had to stop mid-match against Ann Li on April 25, or Marin Cilic, who withdrew before his second-rounder with Joao Fonseca the day before. Liudmila Samsonova didn’t even make it to the court for her third-round match with Linda Noskova; she pulled out sick, too.
Gauff, just 22, threw up into a courtside bin during her match with Cirstea. She called for a medical timeout late in the fight but pushed through, finishing after two hours and 21 minutes.
“Yeah, I don’t know, honestly,” she said afterwards, still sounding a bit dazed. “I was just trying to finish the match, and one point turned into another. I think I picked up what everyone else has here in Madrid. So I’m just going to try to hang on for tomorrow.”
Gauff finished runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka here last year. With her clay season full of points to defend (3,300 from Madrid through the French Open), there’s a lot on her plate and not much time (Roland Garros starts May 24).
“I pulled out at Indian Wells. I really hate retiring, so I didn’t want to do that again today. I’m glad I could tough it out,” said Gauff, who already has two Grand Slam trophies at home.
“I started to feel better, at least not on the verge of throwing up anymore. They gave me some medicine, so that helped.
“But honestly, I was so tired... At first, I was just trying not to throw up the little food I ate. After the meds, I was just wiped out and still nauseous. But I can play like that.”
