Emma Raducanu makes Christmas change in order to 'fulfil potential'

Emma Raducanu during the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup

Emma Raducanu is spending her Christmas season Down Under as she gears up for a fresh onslaught in 2025 at the Australian Open. Raducanu, 22, insists she's finally fighting fit and poised to "fulfil my potential." The young Brit has faced a tumultuous three years since capturing the world's attention with her fairytale US Open win. Plagued by injuries and under fire for allegedly prioritising endorsement deals over her tennis career, Raducanu is now set on a renewed start.

In readiness for her campaign, which kicks off at the Auckland Open on December 30, Raducanu has hired Yutaka Nakamura as her first permanent physical trainer on tour. She's dialling back on extracurricular commitments, eager to sharpen her focus on tennis. Reflecting on her rise to stardom, she stated: "I'm obviously very grateful and fortunate to have had certain experiences and opportunities but I wasn't prepared for the other things that inevitably do take some energy out of you," she said. "I think I've learned how to say no a bit more. Initially I felt really bad for letting people down. I'd always want to do extra for whatever partner or magazine or whatever I'm shooting for.

"I'd always want to do extra if they wanted to do another half day. I would do it and I'd fit it in around my schedule. I would put my practices early and then do that in the afternoon. I'm always going to try and do my best to give extra to the brands I'm working with. Especially since I had a year off pretty much with injuries.! But now, it is about prioritising herself. Raducanu admits, "But also just putting myself first a little bit more." Raducanu, who has struggled with injuries, has enlisted the help of Nakamura, a fitness expert who has worked with tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka. The goal is to build Raducanu's physical resilience, allowing her to compete in a full WTA season.

Emma Raducanu in action in Nottingham.

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Last year, she managed just 34 matches. "I want to play more than I did this year," Raducanu said. "And I appointed Yutaka because I really wanted to spend more time and energy on my fitness. I think now with my setup, I'm in a place where I can continue work on the road. "With my tennis, I'm in a pretty good spot. I feel like I just want to see how much I can do, fulfill my potential. I'm curious about what my level can get to. I really want to play more. And I think a big part of that is just staying healthy." During her time off due to injury, Raducanu reflected on her goals, exploring her creative side through painting and playing the piano, and visiting her grandmother in China. This period of introspection marked a turning point, prompting her to set new objectives for the upcoming year.

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