Emma Raducanu Aims to Emerge as a Top Tennis Athlete
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New Delhi, Dec 7 (NationPress) Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis sensation, is determined to become one of the most athletic players in tennis as she gears up for the 2025 season.
In a significant move, Raducanu has enlisted the expertise of renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura to enhance her physical condition and aid her in regaining competitive consistency following a series of injuries that have hindered her career since her historic victory at the 2021 US Open.
Nakamura, celebrated for his transformative work with tennis legends Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, brings years of experience to Raducanu’s team. This collaboration signifies Raducanu’s commitment to prioritizing her physical fitness, an aspect she acknowledges is still largely unexplored.
"I believe he will guide me in discovering just how far I can push myself athletically," Raducanu expressed to Sky Sports. "I think I can become one of the top athletes in tennis, and I’m eager to see what I can achieve. The way I’m collaborating with him and Nick is much more integrated."
Raducanu has also established stability with her childhood mentor, Nick Cavaday, who will continue to coach her. Both Cavaday and Nakamura will accompany Raducanu throughout the 2025 season, beginning with warm-weather training in Brisbane, Australia, ahead of her first tournament of the new season in Auckland on December 30.
Having trained at London's National Tennis Centre since assisting Great Britain reach the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals last month, Raducanu is keen to hit the ground running. Her schedule may include stops in Adelaide before the Australian Open starts on January 12.
Ongoing injuries have sidelined Raducanu for extended periods in recent years, with a foot injury causing her to miss the latter part of the 2024 season. Currently ranked 59th globally, she aims to participate in as many matches as possible in the early weeks of 2025 to build her confidence and match fitness.
"I feel incredibly strong. I feel fit," Raducanu commented. "On the training court, I feel fantastic. I’m running and giving it my all, but match play is different. It will be interesting to see how I respond as the level increases and if I have to compete back-to-back."
Raducanu also addressed the recent doping controversy surrounding Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion who received a one-month suspension due to a contaminated supplement. This incident has raised awareness among players about the dangers of supplements and contamination.
"In general, many players I know and I are quite cautious," she noted. "We are very mindful of what we consume and how easily things can become contaminated. There are certain supplements I might want to use, but I can’t because they’re over-the-counter and not batch-tested."
Raducanu acknowledged the financial implications of ensuring safety, mentioning that batch testing costs around £1,000 per item. "I’m extremely careful with what I drink and eat. If I leave my water unattended, I’m very on edge about it. But it’s all part of the sport. We’re all navigating the same challenges."
