Emma Raducanu walks to the practice courts at Wimbledon. (Image: PA)
has candidly spoken about the energy drain from her off-court commitments following her triumph, but now believes she’s struck the perfect balance as she progresses in 2025.
The 22-year-old tennis sensation, who shot to fame with her stunning victory in New York three years prior, has remained one of the top-10 highest-earning female athletes this year despite ranking outside the top 50.
This success has brought increased scrutiny on her performance and results, and Raducanu acknowledges that she may have overextended herself with off-court duties. “Especially straight after I did really well, for the next few years it was very much like there was so much communication about things off the court,” Raducanu revealed.
“And I would always, always give my 100 per cent on the court. I was always working really hard, but I just think that I wasn’t prepared as well for the other things that inevitably do take some energy out of you.”
She added: “I think now I’m a lot more structured. I’ll be like: ‘OK, I have this time where one hour we will talk about business. And now I’m going to go train for the rest of the week’.
“Also I think I’ve learned how to say no a bit more. Initially, I felt really bad for letting people down. I’d always want to do extra for whatever partner or magazine or whatever I’m shooting for.”
Her newfound approach isn’t limited to off-court activities; Raducanu feels she has also honed her strategy within the game.
Raducanu was in high spirits during pre-season training, working alongside coach Nick Cavaday, a familiar face from her childhood, and new fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.
With Cavaday’s guidance, Raducanu had a respectable 2024 season, bouncing back from a lengthy absence due to triple surgery the previous year and showing more consistency in her performances.
Although she suffered a significant foot injury in September that kept her sidelined for two months, Raducanu is optimistic that Nakamura’s expertise will help her maintain her fitness while competing. “I want to play more than I did this year,” she said.
“I think now, with my set-up, I’m in a place where I can continue work on the road. So I don’t necessarily need to come back to continue good physical work.
“I can do it pretty much every day, like microdoses. And I think that’s actually going to be a great addition for me next year, which I’m excited about.
Emma Raducanu has dealt with the pain of several injuries. (Image: PA)
“Also with my tennis, I’m in a pretty good spot. I feel like I just want to see how much I can do, fulfil my potential. I’m curious about what my level can get to. I really want to play more. And I think a big part of that is just staying healthy.”
Raducanu has recently been in the headlines for her frequent coaching changes, but her current partnership with coach Cavaday seems to be a step towards stability—the young star having faced criticism for what some have labelled a ‘coach carousel’.
Speaking on the matter, Raducanu clarified her position: “It’s never really been my interest or philosophy to chop and change coaches. I’ve never really wanted that.
“I’m a very loyal person, whether that’s with my tennis or off the court. Or with what I eat. When I find something I like, I stick to it. I eat the same thing every single day. Same salmon every single day. I like those relationships and I think in the past, unfortunately, it hasn’t always worked like this.”
On the subject of her aspirations and goals following her remarkable US Open victory, Raducanu shared insightful thoughts about re-evaluating her motivations: “Initially when I first started, before I won the US Open, my main reason was: ‘I want to win a grand slam’. And that happened so young. I’m so grateful for it. But as soon as that happens, I’m like, ‘OK, well what now? I want to win another grand slam’. It’s just not sustainable.
Emma Raducanu, left, with coach Nick Cavaday. (Image: PA)
“Because, when you don’t win another grand slam straight away, you get frustrated with that. Now, the reason I play is genuine. I really enjoy what I’m doing, how I’m working, the people I’m working with.”
Her focus appears to be on the enjoyment and passion for the sport rather than solely on accumulating titles.
“And I just want to see how good I can be,” Raducanu explained. “I really want to see how fast I can be, how fit I can be, how explosive, how well I can move, what I can do. It’s literally just about playing it like a game, seeing how far I can go.”
Following a spell of warm-weather training in Australia, Raducanu will kickstart her new season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, which commences on December 30.