In September, while playing the piano and painting with her grandmother in China, Emma Raducanu had a profound realisation. She understood that changes were necessary. Despite being the first and only qualifier in tennis history to win a grand-slam singles title, her foot ligaments had been strained, indicating mistakes in her path since the 2021 US Open.

Reflecting on the Season

Raducanu recalls sitting at the LTA's National Tennis Centre, thinking about her season. Her time in China with her grandma was a turning point. She engaged in creative activities like playing the piano and painting, which led her to ponder on her future.

Dealing with Injury Issues

In September, Raducanu retired from the Korea Open quarter-finals due to a left-foot problem. This was the latest in a series of injury issues that have affected her. As a 22-year-old who has undergone three surgeries on her wrists and left foot, her performance over the past three years has not met expectations.She realises that her physical shortcomings are a major concern for the demanding tour. Since her US Open triumph, she has never won more than three consecutive matches at the same tournament. Time and again, injury has affected her.Deciding to hire a full-time fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, was a significant step. Nakamura, who has worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, started working with Raducanu last month. Raducanu emphasises the importance of staying healthy and consistent with physical work. She prefers lighter weights and more movements to build strength in her flexible body.

Reviewing Scheduling

Scheduling has also been an area of concern. There have been times when the logic behind Raducanu's calendar choices has been unclear, especially in August when she played few warm-up matches for the US Open. Skipping qualifying for the French Open in May was also a puzzling decision.Raducanu wants to be more holistic in her approach to tournaments. She wants to have a clear plan that focuses on the main objective and builds the schedule around it.

Improving Media Dealing

Raducanu and her team have made efforts to improve their dealings with the media. This is her first pre-season interview with the British press. She realises the importance of balancing off-court commitments with tennis. She has become more structured, allocating time for business and training.

Preparing for the Season

Raducanu will travel to Auckland on Friday to prepare for her first tournament of the season. Her plans for an earlier training block in Australia were cancelled due to a logistical issue. She will then participate in the Adelaide International before the Australian Open starts on January 12.There are no lofty goals for 2025. Raducanu just wants to do her best on and off the court to increase her chances of future success. She has learned to enjoy the process and work with the people around her.