Emma Raducanu has begun working with fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, known for his work with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.
Nakamura, 22, who is scheduled to fly to Brisbane next week for warm-weather training before the start of the new season, said he would be together “pretty much every week” of the year.
Injuries have been a constant handbrake on Raducanu’s career since winning the US Open as a teenager in 2021.
But after completing trials in early fall, she felt now was the right time to add a dedicated fitness expert to the team.
“I think he will help me explore how far I can go, like athletics,” Raducanu said.
“I think what I haven’t achieved so far is my biggest strength. I think I can become the best player in tennis, and I’m looking forward to seeing how much I can do.
“My natural athletic ability is something I need to use. I need to hone it, refine it. I think it’s still raw and not nearly fully developed, so he’ll help me explore that.”
Nakamura has been training with Raducanu and her coach Nick Cavaday at the National Tennis Center in London all week.
After spending Christmas in New Zealand, Radukanu will begin the season in Auckland at the end of December and then play in Adelaide before the start of the Australian Open on January 12.
