Emma Raducanu is looking to make a key addition to her squad ahead of the 2025 season and she needs to be patient with those around her if she is to succeed next year.

Raducanu has been cutting and changing coaches, fitness advisors and a variety of team members since her iconic US Open victory in 2021 and, from the outside, it seems like the stability she needs to succeed he lacks.

Raducanu has confirmed she is in talks to add a renowned fitness trainer to her team as she attempts to make a successful comeback following her latest injury layoff.

The 22-year-old revealed that a deal to hire fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who has previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, has not yet been signed, although negotiations are progressing, and said that she was “ready to commit” to physical improvements. .

Raducanu has climbed more than 200 places in the rankings this year after missing most of last season following surgeries on both wrists and one ankle, but has played fewer tournaments than almost anyone in the world. another in the top 60 and only three since Wimbledon.

“I think my goal next year is to stay on the field longer,” said Raducanu, who previously cited a desire to keep his team small as a reason for not hiring a full-time strength and conditioning coach and support the staff of the Lawn Tennis Association. Roehampton base in south London.

“This year I made it into the top 60 in the world, but I played, I think, less than 15 events. I know that if I’m on the field, healthy and competing, I can go even higher and further.

“I think my athleticism is one of my strengths, but it is far from reaching its full potential. I just can’t wait to explore this in more depth and I’m willing to commit to doing so.

“Even though it’s the end of the season for a lot of players, I feel like I’m just starting to get going and make things happen, training really well, training hard and already preparing for next year. I’m not really looking for more free time.

Adding a fitness expert would be a step forward for Raducanu, with former British number 1 Tim Henman suggesting constant layoffs are hurting his development.

“The thing she struggled with the most is her physical resilience,” Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.

“We talk about these long seasons and having competed on tour and she’s always trying to build that resilience.

“You look at her number of matches and I think she only played 31 matches on the tour, but she still finished in the top 60.

“In terms of investment, bringing in someone like that (Nakamura) would be very good news.”

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It’s clear that Raducanu is motivated to hit the field next year and after making a winning return to action in Great Britain’s Jean King Bille Cup victory over Germany following her latest dismissal for injury, it is clear that her level is close to what she needs. be to return to the top 30 of the WTA rankings.

Any player who starts a year well outside the top 200 and ends up knocking on the door of the top 50 would hail this season as a success.

The harsh reality is that Raduvanu has different rules than other young players, as the expectations around her will always be very high after that breakthrough victory at the US Open three years ago.

Yet if she can stay in shape and get matches under her belt without unwanted interruption, there is every reason to believe that Raducanu can start to make her way to the back of major events on a WTA Tour lacking strength in depth. at the top of the game.

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