Emma Raducanu formally confirmed that she and Maria Sharapova’s ex-strength and conditioning coach Yutaka Nakamura struck a deal earlier than excitedly stating that she will be able to “become one of the best athletes in tennis.”
After the 22-year-old sustained an unlucky foot harm in mid-October and was pressured to overlook the rest of the Asian swing, British media reported that she reached out to Nakamura, who is among the most outstanding health coaches on the Tour. Up to now, the 52-year-old additionally labored with Naomi Osaka.
Whereas working with Sharapova and Osaka, these two had been successful Grand Slams. Now, his subsequent process will likely be to raise Raducanu’s energy to a subsequent stage and assist the Briton scale back accidents and bodily setbacks going ahead – one thing that has hampered the present world No. 59 because the begin of her profession.
Now, Nakamura will be a part of coach Nick Cavaday within the 22-year-old’s staff.
“He’s going to be with me lots subsequent 12 months. I’m actually wanting ahead to it. I believe it’s good as a result of as an individual, I believe we’re fairly related within the sense that we’re very targeted with our work. After we work, we’re not like speaking or chit-chatting about different issues. It’s very very similar to that is our time to focus,” Raducanu told British reporters at the National Tennis Centre in London.
Emma Raducanu© Emma Raducanu/Instagram – Fair Use
Raducanu has the highest expectations for the Nakamura partnership
As mentioned above, the 52-year-old is considered one of the best in the business in tennis.
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the British tennis star battled major injury issues and that led to three surgeries. Since returning to tennis at the start of 2024, the 22-year-old has looked better but she still dealt with certain injuries and niggles.
In Raducanu’s mind, there is absolutely a room for improvement in that regard. And she believes Nakamura is the one who can help her become much stronger and ultimately make one of the best athletes on the WTA Tour.
“I believe he’s going to assist me simply actually discover how far I can go, like athletically. I believe it is a large energy of mine that I’ve nowhere close to fulfilled. I believe I can change into the most effective athletes on the market in tennis and I am simply wanting ahead to seeing how a lot I can do. My pure athleticism is one thing that I’ve to make use of. I’ve to hone it, I’ve to shine it, it is nonetheless fairly uncooked and I do not assume wherever close to absolutely developed so he’ll assist me discover that,” Raducanu said.
Emma Raducanu© Emma Raducanu/Instagram – Fair Use
After sustaining a ligament injury to her foot, the former world No. 10 was out of action for 10 months but managed to recover in time for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. In Malaga, she won all of her three singles matches and looked outstanding on the court. During the event, the Briton noted that she was already preparing for the 2025 season.
And after the BJK Cup Finals concluded, Raducanu continued to practice and do gym work.
“I feel really strong. I feel really fit. 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’m throwing myself around, but it’s different playing matches. I played a few at Fed Cup [now the Billie Jean King Cup], and I felt like 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 [matches] back-to-back, how I’m going to react,” she famous.
Raducanu will very quickly depart for Australia
Over the past week, the British tennis star practiced on the Nationwide Tennis Centre in London. However for this preseason, she desires to do one thing in a different way – on December twelfth, she’s going to fly to Australia along with her staff.
When she lands in Brisbane, she’s going to meet her pal and fellow WTA colleague Priscilla Hon – the plan is to get some work finished and in addition accustom effectively to the circumstances in Australia forward of the Australian Open.
Then, Raducanu will fly to Auckland for her first event of the season which begins on December twenty ninth.
“We’re going to hit, grasp on the market, get within the warmth. I didn’t need to go straight to Auckland as a result of when you get to a event too early, you form of get a bit stale earlier than the match. So I needed to go there when it’s event time,” she revealed.
Additionally, Raducanu revealed that she might play the Adelaide Worldwide within the second week of the season however that is determined by how she does in Auckland and if there’s a place for her in Adelaide.
