Emma Raducanu Prepares for a Fresh Start in 2024 with New Fitness Coach and Renewed Focus
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is gearing up to leave the stop-start frustrations of 2024 behind her as she prepares for a new season with a fresh approach. With a history of injuries derailing her consistency since her meteoric rise, the British tennis star has taken a decisive step by hiring Yutaka Nakamura, a renowned fitness coach who has worked with legends like Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka. This move signals her determination to improve her physical resilience and return to top form.
A New Fitness Strategy
Yutaka Nakamura joins Raducanu’s team as her first full-time fitness trainer, marking a significant shift in her preparation. Nakamura’s expertise in helping players achieve peak athletic performance is expected to address one of Raducanu’s most pressing challenges: her vulnerability to injuries. Since her breakthrough victory at the US Open, Raducanu has struggled with a series of physical setbacks, from back problems to wrist issues, which have hampered her ability to maintain consistency on the tour.
Speaking about the new partnership, Raducanu expressed optimism. “Yutaka’s going to be with me a lot next year, pretty much most weeks,” she said. “I am really looking forward to it. As a person, we’re quite similar—we’re very focused on our work. On the court, it’s not like chitchat and stuff. I think he’s going to help me explore how far I can go athletically.”
Raducanu believes this collaboration will unlock untapped potential in her game. “I think I can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis. I’m just looking forward to seeing how much I can do. The way I’m working with him and Nick [Cavaday, her coach], it’s a lot more integrated.”
Pre-Season Preparations
Raducanu’s preparations for the 2024 season are already underway at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. The 21-year-old is leaving no stone unturned in her quest for improvement. Her first tournament of the season will be the ASB Classic in Auckland, starting December 30, but she will head to Australia well in advance to acclimatize to the heat and sharpen her game.
Before arriving in Auckland, Raducanu plans to train in Brisbane, where she will work with close friend and Australian tennis player Priscilla Hon. The decision to train in the heat early reflects a more strategic approach to her pre-season. “I had a bit of a different pre-season this year because I was injured earlier, and I did a lot of training,” she explained. “It makes sense to go all the way rather than go somewhere and then come back and fly out again.”
However, Raducanu is mindful of not overextending herself. “I didn’t want to go straight to Auckland because if you get to a tournament too early, you kind of get a bit stale before the match,” she said. “So I wanted to go there, and it’s like tournament time. I still wanted the heat, so I’m going to Brisbane for a week.”
Christmas in New Zealand and a Measured Schedule
Raducanu’s schedule leading into the Australian Open will also include time in New Zealand, where she plans to spend Christmas before deciding whether to add the Adelaide International to her itinerary. Unlike previous seasons, she has opted for a more cautious approach, resisting the urge to overcommit to tournaments. Her focus is on assessing her progress and ensuring she remains physically and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead.
This measured strategy reflects lessons learned from past experiences. Raducanu’s 2024 campaign was marked by inconsistent form and recurring injuries, a pattern she is determined to break. Her goal for 2025 is to build a sustainable rhythm that allows her to compete at her best throughout the year.
Feeling Stronger Than Ever
One encouraging sign for Raducanu is the progress she has made in her physical fitness. “Is this the best my body has felt heading into a winter period? Yeah, I feel really strong. I feel really fit,” she said. However, she acknowledged that the true test will come during matches. “The only thing I can’t really speak for is I haven’t played that many matches. On the training court, I feel amazing. I feel like I’m running around, throwing myself around on the court, but it’s different playing matches.”
Raducanu recently competed in the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup), where she had the opportunity to gauge her fitness in match conditions. “I played a few at Fed Cup, and I felt good. I recovered well. I wasn’t tiring in the matches. It would just be good to see as the level increases and if I have to play more back-to-back, how I’m going to react,” she said.
Looking Ahead to 2024
Raducanu’s decision to revamp her fitness regime and adopt a more integrated approach to her training reflects her commitment to reclaiming her place among the world’s best. With a supportive team led by Nakamura and Cavaday, she is optimistic about the year ahead. The ASB Classic will serve as an early litmus test for her new fitness regimen, while the Australian Open offers an opportunity to make a statement on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
While the road back to the top will not be easy, Raducanu’s determination and willingness to adapt give her a fighting chance. As she embarks on her 2024 season, fans will be eager to see whether this new chapter marks the beginning of a resurgence for the young star who once took the tennis world by storm.