Emma Raducanu has truly had an outstanding season, and now she sets her sights on reaching new heights in 2025. Tim Henman believes she can compete for titles next year, but it hinges on her staying fit. Raducanu has taken a significant step by hiring fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura ahead of the Australian Open, as he has worked with successful players like Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.

Emma Raducanu's Quest for Tennis Greatness

Emma Raducanu's 2021 US Open Triumph

In 2021, Emma Raducanu achieved a remarkable feat by winning the US Open. This victory catapulted her onto the tennis world stage. However, throughout the 2024 WTA Tour season, she played just 34 singles matches, with 21 wins and 13 losses. Injuries largely accounted for the limited playing time, and a busy schedule seemed to exacerbate the issue.She once said, "One thing with the WTA is we’re pretty much made to play the events when we’re in a certain ranking… Where my ranking was and is at, I didn’t have to play every single event." This highlights the challenges she faced in terms of tournament scheduling.Adding that "having to play every single tournament" is a major physical burden, she suggested a schedule change. "I think having a mulligan to not play a tournament would be a really good addition." This shows her forward-thinking approach to addressing the physical demands of the sport.

Recovery and Ranking Ascent in 2024

Starting the 2024 season in 301st place in the WTA rankings, Raducanu has made an impressive comeback. She now sits at an impressive 57th spot. Protected rankings and wildcards have played a role in her resurgence, but she doesn't want to rely solely on that success.Raducanu has a long list of goals for 2025. She aims to return to British number one and continue climbing the WTA rankings. Staying fit tops her agenda, as it remains to be seen if organizers will listen to the calls for schedule changes.She is determined to prove her worth on the tennis court and make a significant impact in the coming year. With her talent and determination, she is well on her way to achieving her goals.