Emma Raducanu is reportedly in talks with Yutaka Nakamura over becoming her new fitness trainer. Nakamura has previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, with Raducanu hoping that he can help her finally overcome her injury woes.
Raducanu has enjoyed a positive season on tour but her attempts to climb back into the WTA’s top 50 have been hampered by fitness problems. The 21-year-old has played only three tournaments since Wimbledon and withdrew from the Ningbo Open last month after spraining ligaments in her foot.
It is claimed that Raducanu is keen to expand her team for the 2025 season and she could be set to place a significant focus on improving her fitness. According to the Daily Telegraph, she is in talks with Nakamura over a potential role.
The English-Japanese trainer specialises in strength and conditioning. He is one of the most respected physical trainers in the sport, having overseen Sharapova’s hugely successful career and more recently working alongside Osaka.
Raducanu missed key preparation in the run-up to the US Open in September with an unspecified injury. The report claims that the injury was an abdominal strain supposedly linked to a locum fitness trainer.
It is reported that the individual set the British star’s training machine at an unexpectedly high weight. The episode is a lesson in using generic fitness personnel, particularly those who do not work with stars full-time.
Raducanu has struggled for form and fitness in the three years since her remarkable US Open triumph. In a bid to overcome those issues, she underwent three separate surgeries on her hands and ankle last year, missing most of the 2023 season and dropping below the top 300.
Some fantastic form in the first part of this year and into the summer months was hugely promising. Raducanu has risen to No. 58 in the world and showed glimpses of rekindling the performances that landed her a sensational maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows at the age of 18.
She reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, her best result at SW19, and her grasscourt displays were superb. But further injuries derailed her campaign and mean she still has plenty of work to do if she is to return to her highest ranking of 10th.
Raducanu’s team are hopeful that she will be fit for the Billie Jean King Cup matches this month. She has been back in training this week.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk