Emma Raducanu missed most of the 2023 season due to wrist and left ankle surgeries. She started the 2024 ranked 301 in the world and finished the year in the Top 60. She had a good outing on the grass courts this year. After that, Raducanu reached the fourth QF of the season at the Korea Open. However, later on, a foot injury halted her momentum. So, injuries have been a constant in her tennis journey so far and to help her battle all these things she recently hired the renowned fitness trainer, Yukata Nakamura in her team. What does Nakamura say about his experience of working with the Brit?

Raducanu has played just 36 matches this season and she has won 23 out of them! She is desperate to improve her numbers in the 2025 season. Emma Raducanu has already started her pre-season program in London with the new addition to her team. Renowned trainer, Yukata Nakamura who previously worked with the likes of Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, has been given the charge to help her make her body more robust and improve her overall fitness level.

He has joined her coach, Nick Cavaday in their mission to bring back this 2021 US Open champion on her golden tracks. Talking about his experience of working with Emma Raducanu in an interview with renowned British sports journalist, Gigi Salmon, he said they’re still getting to know each other. However, he assured Salmon that the vibe they already have is really good. According to a report published on SkySports, Gigi Salmon said the trainer told him that he’s looking forward to exploring Raducanu’s potential which he thinks is quite endless.

Nakamura feels this is the right time and as per reports, he’ll be a constant fixture on the tour with her in 2025. Apart from all these things, another thing struck Salmon’s mind during the interview. What was it? According to her, Yukata Nakamura said, “She (Emma Raducanu) is a lovely person, a really good person.” Raducanu desperately wants to keep herself fit and healthy in the upcoming season. It’ll be interesting to see if Nakamura can help her in achieving those targets next year.

What does Emma Raducanu think of this new addition to her team? Well, while speaking on bringing Yukata Nakamura to her team, Raducanu said, “I needed a more tailored approach and someone dedicated to me. My athleticism is a big strength that I have nowhere near fulfilled. I think I can become one of the best athletes in tennis. Yutuka adds another dimension to the way Nick and I work. It has become integrated and connected.” She further added, “We can already see things that we do in the gym transferring onto the tennis court. We’re on a journey of exploration.“

Emma Raducanu who has previously relied on Lawn Tennis Association staff for her fitness claimed that she believes Nakamura is going to help her a lot in exploring how far can she go athletically. She further revealed that she believes she can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis.

Speaking on her bonding with the new trainer, Raducanu added, “I am really looking forward to it. It’s nice because as a person, I think we’re quite similar in the sense that we’re very focused with our work. When we work, we’re not talking or chitchatting about other things. It’s very much like this is our time to focus. When we’re off the court or at the gym, then we talk about whatever. It’s nice to have someone who’s on the same sort of wavelength as you.” Her first big tournament in 2025 will be the AO. How does Raducanu look forward to that event and what are her thoughts on the 2024 season?

“I know I’m a dangerous player” – Emma Raducanu looks quite confident ahead of the 2025 season

Emma Raducanu has already confirmed that the 2025 ASB Classic will be her first tournament next season. She looks quite “focused” on making a winning start to the season. Raducanu claimed that she feels really strong and fit at the moment and she’s all set to make her early trip with Nakamura to Australia. Talking about Australia’s biggest tennis event, Emma Raducanu said, “I know I’m a dangerous player. I know no-one wants to pull my name in the draw. I take pride in that and I’m looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year.” Raducanu will be unseeded at the AO, but she looks quite optimistic about throwing up some real challenges in that mega event.

How does she look back at her 2024 season? Well, in reply to this question, she said, “Sometimes I need reminding: I’m top 60 and I’ve played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of.” All she wants now is to her herself a “pat” on the back for all the journeys she has made over the last few months. 

In a recent interview with ‘Betway’, Andy Murray’s former coach, Mark Petchey shared his thoughts on Emma Raducanu’s future. During that interview, he was heard saying, “Emma is too good in my opinion not to succeed. She’s too athletic. She’s too motivated when she’s in between the lines. I think sometimes there have been a few times when she hasn’t been as prepared as she would like to be.” Now with the addition of Nakumura to her team, her preparations for the 2025 season have taken off really well, but can this hard work bring her fruitful results in 2025?