Since her historic US Open victory in 2021, Emma Raducanu has faced a rollercoaster journey, struggling to maintain consistent form on the court due to a series of injuries. However, the 22-year-old Brit is now making a bold move that could be pivotal in reviving her career.
Raducanu’s breakthrough win in New York three years ago thrust her into the global spotlight, but the immense pressure and the physical toll of the tour have held her back. After enduring multiple surgeries that prematurely ended her 2023 season, she has continued to grapple with minor injuries throughout 2024, with much of the year marked by limited court time.
In a bid to address her fitness challenges and maximize her potential, Raducanu has enlisted renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. Known for his work with tennis stars such as Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, Nakamura will now travel with Raducanu for the 2025 season, marking a significant step in her attempt to conquer the physical demands of the game.
“I think he is going to help me really explore how far I can go, athletically,” Raducanu shared. “It’s a strength of mine that I haven’t fully tapped into yet. I believe I can become one of the best athletes in tennis, and I’m eager to see just how much I can achieve with his guidance.”
Raducanu’s previous fitness training with the Lawn Tennis Association staff will now be complemented by a more holistic approach under Nakamura’s direction, which she believes will be crucial to her development. “The integration of his approach with Nick’s will be a big help,” she added.
Raducanu also expressed optimism about her physical state following her successful run at the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaga last month, where she won all three of her matches for Great Britain. “I feel like I’m in a really good place to get on the court as much as I can,” she said. “I feel strong and fit. The training court has been great, and I’ve been moving well. It’s different when playing matches, but after competing in a few, I felt good, and my recovery was solid. I’m curious to see how my body holds up with more back-to-back matches as the level increases.”
This new chapter in Raducanu’s journey could be a game-changer for her career. When she has been fit and on form in 2024, she has shown that she remains a formidable force in the women’s game. A notable highlight was her fourth-round run at Wimbledon, along with reaching six WTA Tour quarter-finals and a semi-final appearance at the Nottingham Open in June. Furthermore, she secured her first-ever win over a top-ten player by defeating Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne.
If Raducanu can maintain her fitness into 2025, there’s every reason to believe she could quickly climb back into the top 20 of the WTA rankings. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman is optimistic about her future, but stresses that building physical resilience is key to her progress.
Henman, speaking on the Sky Sports Tennis podcast, noted: “The challenge for Emma is around physical resilience. You look at players like Katie Boulter, who improved dramatically this year. Not only has her tennis improved, but her resilience has allowed her to play a full schedule. We saw her finish the year strong, playing multiple tournaments in a row, and ending up in the top 25.”
While Raducanu has made progress, moving from outside the top 300 to the top 60 in 2024, Henman believes she needs to be able to sustain a full season of tennis to achieve her potential. “If Emma can build that resilience and play consistently, there’s no reason why a top 50 or even top 30 ranking in 2025 isn’t realistic,” he concluded.
With her renewed focus on fitness and resilience, Raducanu’s 2025 season could mark the beginning of a new chapter in her promising career. The combination of a solid physical foundation and mental fortitude could be exactly what she needs to fulfill her immense potential on the court.