Three years after her groundbreaking 2021 US Open triumph, Emma Raducanu is doubling down on her bid for a successful comeback in 2025. The 22-year-old British tennis sensation, who’s faced a string of injuries and a revolving door of team members since her meteoric rise, is now eyeing stability as the key to unlocking her full potential.
Raducanu has revealed ongoing talks to hire renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, known for his work with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, marking a significant step toward addressing her physical resilience—a critical area for the injury-prone star. While the deal isn’t finalized, Raducanu emphasized her readiness to commit fully to physical development.
From Injury Setbacks to a Fresh Start
After enduring multiple surgeries on her wrists and ankle in 2023, Raducanu made a remarkable climb of over 200 places in the WTA rankings this year, finishing just outside the top 50. However, her limited schedule—fewer than 15 tournaments played—underscored the urgent need for a more robust and consistent fitness regimen.
“This year I came to the top 60 in the world, but I played less than 15 events,” Raducanu shared. “I know if I’m on court and healthy, I can go even higher and further. My athleticism is a strength, but it’s nowhere near its full potential. I’m ready to commit to exploring that.”
With a renewed focus on training and preparation, Raducanu is already building toward the 2025 season, determined to avoid further disruptions.
Henman and Experts Weigh In
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman praised the potential addition of Nakamura as a game-changer for Raducanu. He pointed to her physical resilience as the primary roadblock in her development.
“The element she has struggled most with is her physical resilience,” Henman told Sky Sports. “She only played 31 matches on tour this year but still finished in the top 60. If she invests in someone like Nakamura, that could be fantastic for her.”
Raducanu’s sporadic schedule and repeated injuries have undoubtedly slowed her momentum, but her recent performances, including a victorious return in Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup win against Germany, suggest her form is nearing the level required to challenge the WTA’s elite once again.
High Stakes and High Expectations
Raducanu’s meteoric rise in 2021 has set a bar of sky-high expectations. Unlike other young players, her career is scrutinized under an intense spotlight. However, even seasoned professionals acknowledge the unique challenges she faces.
Her 2024 season, marked by perseverance and progress, has already been deemed a relative success. Few players climb from outside the top 200 to the top 60 in a single year, but Raducanu isn’t content with incremental gains. She’s eyeing a top-30 breakthrough and deeper runs in premier tournaments, particularly as the WTA field lacks the depth seen in previous years.
What’s Next for Raducanu?
With her season concluding at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, Raducanu will take the offseason to solidify her plans for 2025. If she can finalize the deal with Nakamura and maintain a consistent team, she’ll enter the new year with the tools to finally meet—and possibly exceed—the expectations that have followed her since 2021.
As ticket sales surge whenever Raducanu’s name is announced at events, it’s clear she remains a major draw in women’s tennis. The question is whether 2025 will mark the year she recaptures the magic that once made her the talk of the tennis world.
“My athleticism is a strength, but I’m just beginning to explore its full potential,” Raducanu said confidently. If her body holds up and her team delivers, fans might witness another defining chapter in her remarkable journey.
