Emma Raducanu recently opened up about her 2024 season, reflecting on what she views as a remarkably successful year despite a host of challenges. The 22-year-old British tennis star overcame multiple injuries, underwent surgeries, and made a significant comeback, accomplishing milestones that are, in her own words, “pretty unheard of.” For Raducanu, these achievements mark not just a successful year but also a solid foundation for a promising future.
The journey wasn’t easy. Raducanu missed the entire second half of 2023 after undergoing surgeries on both wrists and her foot. Her comeback started in early 2024, but she was limited to competing in just 13 WTA tournaments throughout the year. Despite this, Raducanu managed to make a strong impression. She reached her first WTA semifinal since 2022, advanced to the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since her memorable 2021 US Open triumph, and secured her first two wins against top-10 opponents.
Raducanu’s recovery and return to the court were nothing short of remarkable, considering where she started. At the beginning of 2024, she was ranked around No. 300 in the world. By the end of the year, she had climbed to No. 58, an impressive feat given her limited playing schedule. Reflecting on her progress, Raducanu said, “I think sometimes I need reminding, I’m top 60 in the world and I have played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of, in a way. I have to pat myself on the back for that.”
The latter part of her season was a mix of highs and lows. Raducanu had ambitious plans for the Asian swing, where she hoped to compete in five tournaments. Unfortunately, those plans were derailed when she suffered a ligament injury after reaching the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event in Seoul in mid-October. This setback forced her to withdraw from competition until the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Nevertheless, she made a strong return, claiming consecutive straight-set victories over Germany’s Jule Niemeier and Canada’s Rebecca Marino. Confident in her ability, Raducanu declared herself “a dangerous player,” adding, “I know no one wants to pull my name in the draw. I take pride in that.”
Looking ahead, Raducanu has a clear vision for her career trajectory. After arriving in Malaga for the Billie Jean King Cup, she confirmed the widely speculated news that she is considering hiring Yutaka Nakamura, Maria Sharapova’s former fitness coach. Strengthening her physical condition is a top priority as she aims to build on her successes. “My goal next year is to stay on court longer. This year I came to top 60 in the world, but I played less than 15 events. I know if I’m on court and healthy and competing, I can go even higher and further,” Raducanu explained. She is determined to maximize her athletic potential, committing to rigorous training during the offseason.
Raducanu’s optimism about the future is palpable. “While it’s the end of the season for a lot of players, I feel like I’m just beginning to kick-start and get things in motion, training really well, training hard, and already building towards next year,” she said. “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.”
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. WTA founder and legend Billie Jean King recently voiced her support for Raducanu, emphasizing the importance of staying healthy and patient in her quest to reach her full potential. “If she can stay healthy long enough, then we’ll see how good she is,” King told BBC Sport. “But if you keep getting injured, you never get that momentum going. If you’ve been injured—really injured—I always want to give a player at least a year and a half to recover. It takes a lot to come back from injury and you have got to be very patient.”
Raducanu’s immediate focus is on the Billie Jean King Cup, where she and her teammates are set to compete against Slovakia for a final spot. However, she is also planning her 2025 season. The ASB Classic organizers recently confirmed that the 2021 US Open champion will kick off her new year in New Zealand, competing in the Auckland event before heading to the Australian Open. “It’s exciting to have a fresh start,” Raducanu shared. “I’m eager to compete and see how far I can push myself.”
The road to recovery and resurgence has been anything but smooth for Raducanu. Her 2024 campaign was marked by grit, determination, and flashes of the brilliance that catapulted her to stardom. While challenges remain, Raducanu has shown that she is capable of rising above adversity. With the support of a strong team, a commitment to health and fitness, and a renewed hunger to succeed, the future looks bright for one of Britain’s most promising tennis stars. As she sets her sights on new goals, Raducanu’s journey is far from over—it’s only just beginning.