Emma Raducanu seeks new heights in tennis after hiring Maria Sharapova's former coach Yutaka Nakamura as new coach | Tennis news

Emma Raducanu aims to become one of tennis' best athletes after hiring fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura ahead of the new season.

Known for his work with Maria Sharapova and, more recently, Naomi Osaka, Nakamura will travel with Raducanu throughout the 2025 campaign.

Persistent injuries since her stunning US Open victory in 2021 have kept Raducanu off the court for long periods and addressing the lack of physical robustness is a much-needed step.

“I think he's going to help me really explore how far I can go athletically,” said the 22-year-old, who previously relied on staff at the Lawn Tennis Association for her physical training.

“I think it's one of my great strengths that I'm far from being fully exploited. I think I can become one of the best athletes in tennis and I just can't wait to see everything I can do .

“And I think he's really going to help me. And the way I work with him and Nick is a lot more integrated.”

Raducanu has found stability in his coaching staff over the past year with childhood mentor Nick Cavaday, and he and Nakamura will join the British number two when she flies to Australia next Thursday.

Having trained at the National Tennis Center in London since helping Britain reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup last month, Raducanu will now travel to Brisbane for warm-weather work.

She will spend Christmas in New Zealand before playing her first tournament of the new season in Auckland from December 30.

Having missed two months at the end of the 2024 season due to a foot injury, Raducanu is eager to play as much as possible in the opening weeks and also hopes to compete in Adelaide before the Australian Open, which begins on the 12th. January.

“I feel like I'm in a pretty good position to get on the court as much as possible,” said Raducanu, currently ranked 59th in the world. “I feel really strong. I feel really fit.

“The only thing I can't really talk about is that I haven't played many matches. On the training pitch I feel good. I feel like I'm running around, throw on the field, but it's different from playing matches.

“I played a few (at the Billie Jean King Cup) and I felt good. I felt like I recovered well. I wasn't tired in the matches. It would just be nice to see as the level increases, and if I have to play more in a row, how I will react.

Raducanu feels 'uncomfortable' over tennis scandals

The tennis world was rocked last week when it was announced that Iga Swiatek had been suspended for a month for doping following a positive test in August.

The five-time Grand Slam champion's explanation that a supplement she took had been contaminated with a banned substance was accepted, and Raducanu admitted it made her uncomfortable.

“I think in general, not just me but a lot of players that I know, we're pretty worried,” she said. “Everything we take, we are very aware of the situation and how easily things can become contaminated.

“There are certain supplements I might want to take, but I can't take them because they are over-the-counter and they are not batch tested (pre-tested for banned substances).

“Batch testing something costs £1,000 for a small thing, so it's very expensive. For things that you really, really need to take, it's obviously worth it, but you just have to remove a lot of stuff that you would need to take.'not necessarily take.

“I'm very careful about what I drink, what I eat. If I leave my water everywhere, I get very nervous. But that's part of the sport. We're all in this together.”

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