Emma Raducanu Seeks New Tennis Heights After Appointing Former Maria Sharapova Coach Yutaka Nakamura

Emma Raducanu is aiming to become one of the best athletes in tennis after she hired Yutaka Nakamura's fitness training ahead of the new season.

Known for his work with Maria Sharapova and, more recently, Naomi Osaka, Nakamura will be traveling with Raducanu throughout the 2025 campaign.

Ongoing injuries since her 2021 US Open win have kept Raducanu off the court for long periods and addressing her lack of physical strength is a much-needed step.

“I think it's going to help me just explore how far I can go, athletically,” said the 22-year-old, who had previously been in charge of Lawn Tennis Association staff for her fitness training.

“I think it's a great strength for me that I'm not close to achieving.

“And I think it's really going to help with that. And the way I work with him and Nick, it's a lot more integrated.”

Raducanu has found stability in her coaching position over the past year with childhood mentor Nick Cavaday, and he and Nakamura will both join the British number two when she flew to Australia next Thursday.

Having trained at the National Tennis Center in London since helping Great Britain reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup last month, Raducanu will now head to Brisbane for some warm weather work.

She will spend Christmas in New Zealand before playing her first tournament of the new season in Auckland starting on December 30.

After missing two months at the end of the 2024 season with a foot injury, Raducanu is keen to play as much as possible in the early weeks and is also hoping to compete in Adelaide on ahead of the Australian Open, which starts on January 12.

“I feel like I'm in a good enough place to get on the court as much as I can,” said Raducanu, who is currently ranked 59 in the world. feeling very strong I feel very fit.

“The only thing I can't speak for is that I haven't played that many games. On the training court I feel amazing. .

“I played a little bit (at the Billie Jean King Cup) and I felt good. I felt like I recovered well. I wasn't tired in the games. It would be good to see how the level rises, and if I have to. play more back to back, how I'm going to respond.”

Raducanu feels 'unfair' with tennis scandals

The tennis world was rocked last week when it was announced that Iga Swiatek had been handed a one-month doping ban following a positive test in August.

The five-time Grand Slam champion's explanation that medicine she took was contaminated with a banned substance was accepted, and Raducanu admitted that it left her feeling uncomfortable.

“I think in general, not only me but many of the players that I know, we are very concerned,” she said. “Everything that we bring, we are very aware on the situation and how easily things can be corrupted.

“There are some supplements that I might want to take but I can't because they are over the counter and not batch tested (pre-testing for banned substances).

“It's £1,000 to test something for one little thing, so it's very expensive. For the things you have to take, it's obviously value there, but you have to cut out a lot of things that you used to do.

“I'm very careful with what I drink, what I eat. If I leave my water around, I'm very careful about it. But it's just part of the fun. we're all in the same boat.”

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