Emma Raducanu has committed to playing more matches in 2025, and former British No. 1 Tim Henman believes this is her best path to climbing back to the top of tennis.
Since her 2021 US Open triumph, Raducanu has struggled with both form and fitness, facing a crucial season ahead as she aims to prove she can compete consistently at the highest level. Her decision to hire fitness expert Yutaka Nakamura for this year signaled her determination to get in shape for regular tournament play. However, a back issue forced her to miss what should have been her first tournament of the year.
A third-round appearance at the Australian Open was encouraging, but her 6-1, 6-0 defeat to world No. 2 Iga Swiatek raised concerns that Raducanu may never return to the level of her Grand Slam victory from just over three years ago. Despite this, Henman insists that pessimism is unwarranted, emphasizing that a fit and healthy Raducanu is a formidable opponent for anyone, with her biggest hurdle being her physical condition.
“If she can stay healthy and compete regularly, the results will come because she’s that good,” said Henman, now a Sky Sports Tennis analyst. “If she wasn’t good enough, you’d say she has to pick her tournaments and play weaker events. But with Emma, if she stays healthy, I’m convinced the results will follow.
“I never thought it was about her level. When she plays, her level is always very good, but if you look at her ranking breakdown from last year, she only played 33 matches, and 11 of those were on grass. For the other 10 months, she played just 22 matches, which is so few. I’m sure she’s aware of that, and she’ll get the right coach at the right time, but the physical work she’s doing is the most significant.”
Henman has always advocated for playing more matches and sees college tennis as a great opportunity for young players, as they compete match after match. He points to players like Jacob Fearnley, who played extensively in college tennis in America and transitioned smoothly to the professional tour.
Raducanu recently confirmed that she had parted ways with coach Nick Cavaday, with Henman noting that this situation is different from the multiple coaching changes Raducanu has experienced since her 2021 US Open victory. “The circumstances of this relationship ending are different,” Henman said. “Emma has changed coaches in the past, but this time, it’s Nick’s health that played a big role. I don’t think it will disrupt her too much.
“It’s great that she has a fitness trainer now because, if you were to prioritize technical, physical, or mental work, the physical aspect is key so she can compete week-in, week-out.”
Former British tennis player Naomi Broady, speaking to Tennis365, pointed out that Raducanu often faces unfair criticism, with some suggesting her US Open win was a fluke. “People who say Emma got lucky don’t understand tennis,” Broady explained. “You can’t come through qualifying, win seven matches without dropping a set, and win a Grand Slam by luck. She has the level, and she needs to get back to it.
“It’s incredibly difficult not to be affected by online negativity, but hopefully, her team can help her manage that. Over the past year or two, she has made her circle smaller, and that might be why.”
Raducanu has a significant opportunity to jump back into the top 32 of the WTA rankings in 2025 if she plays more matches. That would ensure she is seeded for Grand Slam events and avoid early encounters with top 10 players.
