Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has candidly reflected on the challenges she faced following her historic victory. The 22-year-old British tennis star acknowledged that the surge in off-court commitments, including numerous sponsorship deals, diverted her focus from training and competition. She admitted, “I wasn’t prepared as well for the other things that inevitably do take some energy out of you.”
In response to these challenges, Raducanu has taken deliberate steps to restructure her schedule, ensuring a clearer separation between business obligations and tennis training. She stated, “I think now I’m a lot more structured. I’ll be like: ‘OK, I have this time where one hour we will talk about business. And now I’m going to go train for the rest of the week’.” Additionally, she has learned to set boundaries, noting, “I think I’ve learned how to say no a bit more.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Raducanu has enlisted the expertise of Yutaka Nakamura, a renowned strength and conditioning specialist who has previously worked with top players like Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka. This collaboration aims to enhance her physical fitness and prevent injuries, enabling her to participate in more tournaments and maintain consistent performance throughout the year.
Raducanu is set to commence her 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, starting on December 30. She expressed enthusiasm about her preparations, stating, “I genuinely believe that this will be a significant enhancement for my performance next year, and I’m excited about it!”
By prioritizing her health and establishing a balanced approach to her career, Raducanu aims to rediscover her top form and fully explore her potential in the sport. She emphasized, “I’m eager to explore how good I can truly be. I want to discover my speed, fitness, explosiveness, and movement on the court.”
