3 minute read

In her final media briefing of 2024, Emma Raducanu made some bold statements that reflect the valuable lessons she has learned from her recent challenges.

After hinting she was close to hiring fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura while playing for Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals last month, the 22-year-old confirmed she had added him to her team.

With a track record of success with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, Nakamura will travel with Raducanu throughout the season as she looks to banish the injury issues that have dented her ambitions since she won the 2021 US Open.

"I think he is going to help me just really explore how far I can go, athletically," said Raducanu, who had previously relied on Lawn Tennis Association staff for her fitness training.

"I think it's a big strength of mine that I have nowhere near fulfilled. I think I can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis and I'm just looking forward to seeing how much I can do and I think he's really going to help with that.

"I am really looking forward to it. It's nice because as a person, I think we're quite similar in the sense that we're very focused with our work.

"When we work, we're not talking or chitchatting about other things. It's very much like this is our time to focus.

"When we're off the court or at the gym, then we talk about whatever.

"It's nice to have someone who's on the same sort of wavelength as you. He is going to help me just really explore how far I can go, like athletically. It's a big strength of mine that I have nowhere near fulfilled.

"I think I can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis and I'm just looking forward to seeing how much I can do.

"My natural athleticism is something that I have to use. I have to hone it, I have to polish it, it's still pretty raw and I don't think anywhere near fully developed so he's going to help me explore that."

Raducanu's move to hire Nakamura was not the only news she announced this week as it has also confirmed that she will be looking to increase her tournament schedule heading into the first Grand Slam of the New Year.

She was widely criticised for her lack of tournament player prior to the US Open in August, as she opted out of playing in qualifying in Toronto and ended competing in just on event ahead of the final major of the year.

Almost inevitably, she was rusty in her opening match in New York and lost her opening match against Sofia Kenin, with Raducanu admitting she had made mistakes with her scheduling prior to the US Open.

"I would have preferred to probably play a little bit more before coming into the US Open," she said.

"I know when I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good, you feel like everything's automatic.

"I can learn from it. And, you know, manage my schedule slightly differently."

Now it has emerged that not only will Raducanu play a warm-up event for the Australian Open in Auckland, but she is also considering playing a second tournament ahead of the Melbourne major.

Raducanu will look to play in a WTA Tour event in Adelaide and she is highlighting her commitment to getting fully fit and acclimatised for the Australian Open by making the journey Down Under next Thursday.

She will take on a warm weather training block and will spend Christmas in Australia as she look to fully commit to the challenge that lies ahead.

"I had a bit of a different pre-season this year because I was injured earlier, and I did a lot of training," said Raducanu.

"So I just want to get out in the heat a bit earlier. It makes sense to go all the way rather than go somewhere and then come back and then fly out again."

She is also relishing the chance to work with Nakamura, who is making the early trip with her to Australia.

"I feel really strong. I feel really fit," added Raducanu.

"The only thing I can't really speak for, is I haven't played that many matches. So it's different.

"On the training court I feel amazing. I feel like I'm running around, throwing myself around on the court, but it's different playing matches.

"I played a few at Billie Jean King Cup, and I felt good. I felt like I recovered well. I wasn't tiring in the matches.

"It would just be good to see as the level increases, and if I have to play more back-to-back, how I'm going to react."