Emma Radukanu is aiming to become one of the top tennis players after hiring fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura ahead of the new season.
Known for her work with Maria Sharapova and more recently Naomi Osaka, Nakamura will travel with Radukanu during the 2025 campaign.
Since his stunning US Open victory in 2021, persistent injuries have kept Radukanu off the court for a long time, and addressing his lack of fitness is a much-needed step.
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Emma Raducanu looks back on her performance at the 2021 US Open where she claimed a career-changing victory.
“I think he’s going to help me just find out how far I can go athletically,” said the 22-year-old, who previously relied on staff at the Lawn Tennis Association for her fitness training.
“I think that’s a big strength of mine that I haven’t realized anywhere. I think I can become one of the best tennis players and I’m just looking forward to seeing how much I can do.
“And I think he’s going to really help with that. And the way I work with him and Nick, it’s a lot more integrated.”
Radukanu has found stability in his coaching staff over the past year with childhood mentor Nick Kawaday, and he and Nakamura will join the British number two when he travels to Australia next Thursday.
Training at the National Tennis Center in London since helping Britain reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup last month, Radukanu will now head to Brisbane for some warm-weather work.
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Martina Navratilova believes Emma Radukanu should own her tennis career as she answers fans’ questions
He will spend Christmas in New Zealand before playing his first tournament of the new season in Auckland on December 30.
Having missed two months at the end of the 2024 season with a foot injury, Radukanu wants to play as much as possible in the early weeks and also hopes to compete in Adelaide ahead of the Australian Open, which starts on January 12.
Emma Radukanu wants to make an impression in 2025
“I feel like I’m in a pretty good place to get out on the court as much as possible,” said Radukanu, currently ranked No. 59 in the world. “I feel really strong.
“The only thing I can’t really talk about is that I haven’t played that many matches. I feel like I’m running around on the pitch, but playing games is different.
“I played a few (at the Billie Jean King Cup). I felt like I was recovering well. It’s just going to be good to see how the level goes up and if I have to. play more together, how am I going to react?’
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Emma Radukanu wowed one of her young fans ahead of the US Open earlier this year
Radukanu feels “disturbed” by tennis scandals
The tennis world was shocked last week when it was announced that Iga Sviatek had been banned for one month for doping after testing positive in August.
The five-time Grand Slam champion’s explanation that the supplement she took was contaminated with a banned substance was accepted, and Radukanu admitted it worried her.
“I think in general, not just me, but a lot of the players that I know, we’re pretty worried,” he said the things.
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“There are certain supplements that I may want to take but can’t because they are over the counter and not batch tested (pre-tested for banned substances).
“Batch testing something is £1,000 for one little thing, so it’s very expensive. For the things that you really, really need to take, then obviously it’s worth it, but you just have to cut out a lot of things that you’d like. : not required to take.
“I’m very careful about what I drink, what I eat. If I leave my water, I think about it. It’s just part of the sport. We’re all in the same boat.”
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