Emma Raducanu has shared that she will be spending a “hot” Christmas on the beach in New Zealand with her best friend, Izzy, as part of her preparations for the 2025 tennis season. The British tennis star, who has fond memories of colder Christmases in London, will once again join Izzy and her family in Auckland for the holiday. They plan to head to a beach hut for a festive barbecue.
Raducanu, who grew up in London, mentioned that adjusting to a summer Christmas is still a unique experience for her. While she enjoys the different atmosphere in New Zealand, she admitted she still misses the festive cold back home. “December in London is my favorite time of year,” she said, reflecting on her fondness for the cozy holiday season in the UK. She quipped that she’ll have to make peace with warm Christmases for the next decade or so before eventually returning for a traditional cold Christmas in the future.
Raducanu’s Christmas in Auckland ties into her training plan ahead of the new tennis season. Initially scheduled to fly to Brisbane for a training camp, she adjusted her plans and will now head to Auckland 10 days before the start of the tournament on December 30. She explained the decision, noting that it made more sense logistically and physically. The extended time in Auckland will help her adapt to the heat without returning to the UK between camps and tournaments, avoiding the added strain of extra travel.
Emma Raducanu’s 2024 season was cut short due to a foot injury she suffered in September while playing in Korea. The injury forced her to sit out for an extended period, preventing her from playing competitively until she made her return at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Although this setback was frustrating, it gave her the opportunity to work closely with her new fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, and focus on a solid pre-season training regimen.
Raducanu mentioned that her pre-season preparation was different this year due to the injury, allowing her to focus on strengthening and conditioning her body in advance of the upcoming season. “I did a lot of training,” she said, explaining how she managed to use the downtime productively. Given the physical demands of tennis, particularly in hot climates, she believes getting to New Zealand early will help her acclimatize.
Raducanu will also stop in Brisbane for a week of training before heading to Auckland. Brisbane is known as one of Australia’s key tennis training hubs, and the city attracts many top players for their off-season preparations. During her stay in Brisbane, Raducanu plans to practice with fellow professional Priscilla Hon, whom she is friends with. The British No. 2 explained that she didn’t want to arrive too early in Auckland to avoid getting “stale” before the tournament. Instead, she views Brisbane as an ideal stop to train in the heat and stay sharp.
In summary, Raducanu is blending holiday time with her pre-season training, preparing both physically and mentally for the start of the 2025 season while enjoying a warm Christmas on the other side of the world. After a challenging year marked by injury, she hopes this focused preparation will set her up for a successful return to the tour.
