Emma Raducanu looks set to make a major step in her professional tennis journey by hiring a dedicated fitness coach, after confirming she is “having discussions” with renowned fitness expert Yutaka Nakamura. The move could mark a significant turning point for the former world No. 10, who has been hampered by injuries throughout her young career.
British media outlets recently reported that the 2021 US Open champion was considering bringing Nakamura, who previously worked with tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, on board. The reports came in the wake of a ligament injury in Raducanu’s foot, which sidelined her for the past two months. However, Raducanu has made a timely recovery, just in time to join the British team at the Billie Jean King Cup (BJK Cup) Finals in Malaga. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the newly-turned 22-year-old expressed her determination to strengthen her physical conditioning during the offseason, emphasizing her desire to reach new heights in her career.
Raducanu’s injury struggles have been well-documented since her breakthrough victory at the US Open in 2021. The Briton has undergone surgeries on both wrists and her ankle, most recently in May 2023. This year has been relatively kinder in terms of severe setbacks, with only her recent ligament injury keeping her out for a prolonged period. However, Raducanu has also dealt with minor niggles, underscoring the need for a comprehensive fitness regimen. To date, she has mainly relied on assistance from coaches affiliated with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) but is now ready to commit to working with a fitness coach full-time.
“I think my goal next year is to stay on court longer,” Raducanu stated in Malaga. “This year I came to top 60 in the world, but I played, I think, less than 15 events. I know if I’m on court and healthy and competing, I can go even higher and further. I think that my athleticism is a strength of mine, but it’s nowhere near its full potential. I’m just looking forward to exploring that further and ready to commit to doing that.”
Raducanu’s commitment to enhancing her physical conditioning is evident. While many players are winding down their seasons, she sees this period as a chance to lay the groundwork for 2025. “While it’s the end of the season for a lot of players, I feel I’m just beginning to kick-start and get things in motion, training really well, training hard, and already building towards next year. I’m not really looking to have any more time off. I’m just looking forward to competing here this week and taking however this goes and improving on it for next year.”
Raducanu’s return to represent Great Britain in the BJK Cup has also reignited interest in her national team contributions. The 22-year-old faced criticism in the past, with some questioning her commitment to playing for her country. However, her performance in the April qualifiers against France silenced many critics. Raducanu delivered two hard-fought three-set victories over top competitors Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry, helping secure Britain’s place in the Finals.
Teaming up once again with Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and Olivia Nicholls, Raducanu is hopeful about the team’s chances of making a deep run. “I think something about the team competition is that, even when you’re down—like I was a set down in both matches—you keep fighting,” she explained. “It’s not that you wouldn’t necessarily want to in a normal tournament, but it’s just that extra motivation to fight right until the end. It’s surprising how certain matches can turn. I was a set and a break down and all of a sudden came back and won in three [sets], it was a crucial tie to win. I think you give that something extra even if the scoreboard is against you.”
Raducanu is confident in the strength of her teammates and their collective potential. “I think we really back ourselves here. We have Boults who is a massive ball striker, it’s indoor tennis, she’s been playing really well in Asia, she won a lot of matches, so I think she’s feeling really confident. I put a few really good weeks of training in, so I think I’m feeling quite confident in how I’m playing. For me, it will be just about adjusting to playing matches again. It’s been a few months, so I’m intrigued to see how that goes.”
The first test for Great Britain in the last-16 stage of the BJK Cup will be a match against Germany on Friday night. On paper, it appears to be a favorable matchup for the British squad, as the German team does not feature any top-50 players. Their roster includes Laura Siegemund, Tatjana Maria, Jule Niemeier, Eva Lys, and Anna-Lena Friedsam. Raducanu and Boulter, as the likely singles competitors, have a good chance of giving their team an advantage.
Should Great Britain emerge victorious, they will advance to face defending champions Canada in the quarterfinals. For Raducanu, this competition is more than just an opportunity to represent her country—it is a chance to further solidify her comeback, showcase her improved fitness, and set the stage for what she hopes will be a standout 2025 season. With her renewed focus, commitment, and growing confidence, the young Briton aims to make a lasting impact, both for herself and her nation, on the world stage.